Study: What it really costs for a parent to stay home in North Carolina

(WWAY) — In North Carolina, a life on a single paycheck is increasingly rare, but for families who want one parent to stay home with a young child, the numbers tell a clear story.

According to a recent analysis by SmartAsset, a NC household with one working parent and one stay-at-home parent would need about $75,608 a year to make ends meet.

If both parents keep working, the study estimates families would need roughly $88,026 per year to cover basic living expenses. SmartAsset also estimates the annual cost of raising one child in a dual-income household at about $23,587.

In comparison, the U.S. Census Bureau lists North Carolina’s median household income at about $73,958. That places many families close to, or below, the amount SmartAsset says is needed to sustain a single-income household with a young child in the home.

Recent employment and wage figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show continued job growth in many of the state’s largest counties, along with rising wages. Still, labor analysts note that higher living costs, including childcare, healthcare, housing and transportation, continue to create financial pressure for working families.

SmartAsset compared the annual living wage of a household with two working adults and one child to that of one working adult, one stay-at-home parent and one child. Calculations include estimated costs for food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation, taxes and other basic needs.

The analysis reflects data as of February 2025.