Raising a family in 2025 has become significantly more expensive. The Millers, a couple in Boulder, Colorado earning $220,000 annually, are feeling financially stretched with two young children and various expenses. Data from SmartAsset shows the increasing cost of living comfortably in today’s economy.

In Colorado, a family of four needs $273,728 annually to live comfortably, while the national median income for those 25-44 is $58,500-$69,264. The Millers, with an income of $220,000, are doing better than the average American family but still fall short of the recommended amount.

The Millers struggle due to rising costs of raising children and groceries, impacted by tariffs. Data shows a 35.7% increase in annual child-rearing costs since 2023. Housing costs, including mortgage, are within the 30% rule, but other expenses are pressing the Millers financially.

Americans are having fewer children due to the high cost of raising a family. In 2024, the U.S. saw a record low in fertility rates. Financial reasons are a significant factor in Millennials and Gen Zers opting for child-free lives, as many face challenges affording children despite high incomes.

The Millers, making well above the national median income, are still struggling financially. Despite their efforts to manage housing costs, rising expenses like child-rearing and groceries are impacting their budget. The high cost of living is causing some younger couples to rethink starting families.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Cost for family of 4 to live comfortably in US up nearly $10K in 2025. Are you keeping up or just getting by?