Texas families are running the numbers — because childcare prices are making “should one of us stay home?” a real conversation. 🧾👶🏾🏡

A recent SmartAsset analysis looked at what it takes for one parent to earn enough for the other to stay home and raise one child — and in Texas (statewide, not just Houston), they found the minimum income comes in just under $75,000.

Here’s how they calculated it:

They used the MIT Living Wage Calculator to compare two scenarios:

Two working adults + one child vs.

One working adult + stay-at-home parent + one child

Then they estimated the costs for a two-working-parent household using essentials like food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation, added taxes, and other necessities.

Translation: staying home isn’t just a “vibe” — it’s a budget strategy… or a budget stretch. 😅

Would your household be more peaceful with one parent home, or more stable with two incomes?READ MORE: https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/income-study-texas-parents-smartasset/

houston.culturemap.com

Texas families need to make this much money for one parent to stay home

As the cost of raising a child balloons in major cities like Houston, many families are weighing the choice between paying for child care or having one parent stay home full-time.