Working couples with no kids need to earn at least $62,766 to cover their basic needs in the U.S. — far less than families who also need to cover additional expenses like child care.
In contrast, working couples with one child require a median income of $86,459 to cover their needs.
Couples who are dual-income, no kids — otherwise known as DINKs — also tend to have lower costs for expenses aside from child care, particularly food, housing and transportation.
These extra savings — roughly 20% for each category — come from having one less mouth to feed, but also because couples tend to live in smaller homes and spend less on transportation than they would otherwise.
But of course, having kids is not entirely a financial decision.
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MIT
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U.S