What is the average cost to raise a child?

From Leadership Network's ADVANCE:

Pricetag to Raise a Child: $291,570
A middle-income family can expect to spend $291,570 including inflation to raise a child born in 2008 to adulthood, up slightly from the federal government's estimate one year ago.

The estimate covers food, shelter and other necessities for a child to age 18, said the annual report by the Agriculture Department. The figure does not include the cost of childbirth or college.

For more info check out the USDA site.