SmartAsset calculates income needed for a stay-at-home parent in each state
According to SmartAsset, the average American family needs one parent to earn about $80,000 to support the other staying home to raise one child. In most states, the required income is below $100,000, with West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi among the most affordable. Hawaii is the most expensive, requiring over $102,000, while California and Massachusetts need around $97,000.
The SmartAsset figures represent minimum income thresholds covering basic expenses for two adults and one child, with childcare costs removed from the equation since a stay-at-home parent eliminates that expense. The national average of roughly $80,000 stands in stark contrast to Investopedia's estimate of $4.4 million for the full American Dream, which includes homeownership, college tuition, and other major life expenses. State rankings reveal a clear geographic pattern: southern and midwestern states generally require less than $75,000, while coastal and northeastern states cluster near or above $90,000. The figures exclude discretionary spending such as vacations, private schooling, or larger homes.
This data could influence how younger generations evaluate single-income household arrangements, particularly as the "tradwife" trend gains traction on social media. Families in high-cost states may face difficult tradeoffs between having a parent at home and maintaining financial security, while those in affordable states may find the arrangement more attainable. The gap between minimum survival income and the broader American Dream could also shape expectations around marriage, career choices, and geographic mobility, especially as inflation and housing costs continue to pressure household budgets.