West Virginia among most affordable states to have one parent stay home; Virginia costs are higher
December 2, 2025
A new SmartAsset study released December 2nd finds West Virginia near the bottom of the national cost scale for keeping one parent at home to raise a child. The analysis estimates a West Virginia family needs about $68,099 in single-earner income to allow one parent to stay home, and $78,998 if both parents work.
Virginia is significantly more expensive. SmartAsset estimates a Virginia family would need about $84,261 for one parent to stay home and $98,176 when both parents work, reflecting higher local costs for housing, childcare and other necessities.