New research from financial advisory software SmartAsset reveals that in most U.S. states, a single-earning parent needs to make less than $100,000 annually to support a partner staying home to raise a child. On average, this figure is around $80,000, making the traditional stay-at-home parent lifestyle more affordable than commonly assumed, according to fortune.com.
The study ranked all 50 states by the minimum income required to sustain a one-parent household with a stay-at-home partner raising a single child. The analysis factors in the $40,000 pre-tax cost of raising a child but excludes daycare expenses, which are eliminated when one parent stays home. The required income increases with family size and lifestyle choices such as private schooling or vacations. Hawaii emerged as the most expensive state, requiring over $102,000 in income to support this lifestyle, per fortune.com.
This data highlights a growing trend among Gen Z, with many embracing the 'tradwife' ideal of marriage and family supported by a single income. The findings challenge perceptions about the financial barriers to this lifestyle, showing that in states like West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and North Dakota, the income needed is significantly lower than six figures. The research provides a clearer financial picture for families considering this arrangement, as reported by fortune.com.
The SmartAsset research offers a state-by-state breakdown of income thresholds needed to support a stay-at-home parent raising one child, with the average U.S. requirement near $80,000. This figure serves as a benchmark for families evaluating the feasibility of single-earner households across different regions.