Which state has the highest child support payments?

States in the Northeast and on the West Coast tend to have higher average child support payments, largely driven by higher costs of living and higher average incomes. Massachusetts, New York, and California typically rank among the highest.

Does child support increase with each additional child?

Yes, but not proportionally. Support for two children is not double the amount for one child. Most state formulas use a scaled approach that increases with each child but reflects the economies of scale in household spending.

How does income level affect child support?

Income is the single largest factor. A parent earning $30,000 per year might pay around $400-$550 per month for one child, while a parent earning $100,000 per year might pay $1,200-$1,800 per month, depending on the state.

Is there a maximum amount of child support?

Most state guidelines have an income cap above which the standard formula no longer applies. However, courts can order support above the guideline amount for high-income parents based on the child's needs and the parents' standard of living.

How does U.S. child support compare to other countries?

Child support systems vary significantly worldwide. Some countries like Australia use a centralized federal system, while others like the UK use formula-based assessments. The U.S. system is unique in its state-by-state variation. Overall, U.S. support amounts are moderate compared to Scandinavian countries but higher than many developing nations.

Can I estimate my child support payment?

Yes. You can use our free child support calculator to get an instant estimate based on your state's specific formula, your income, the other parent's income, and your custody arrangement.

What Is the Average Child Support Payment? State-by-State Data for 2025

Q: What is the average child support payment in the United States?

The average child support payment in the U.S. is approximately $430 to $500 per month for one child, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. However, this average varies widely based on income level, state of residence, number of children, and custody arrangements.

The National Average

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average child support payment in the United States is approximately $430 to $500 per month for one child. This figure represents the median amount reported by custodial parents receiving support. However, this number tells only part of the story, because child support amounts vary enormously based on individual circumstances.

Here are some key national statistics:

Total child support owed annually: Approximately $33 billion nationwide
Average annual payment received: About $5,160 per custodial parent
Percentage of custodial parents who receive full payment: Roughly 46%
Percentage who receive partial payment: About 30%
Percentage who receive nothing: About 24%

The gap between what is owed and what is actually paid is a persistent issue. Understanding the averages helps set expectations, but your actual amount will depend heavily on your specific situation and your state's formula.

State-by-State Average Payments

Child support amounts vary significantly from state to state. These differences arise from variations in state formulas, cost of living, average incomes, and how each state accounts for expenses like healthcare and childcare.

The following table shows estimated average monthly child support payments for one child, based on a non-custodial parent earning $50,000 per year with no shared custody:

State	Est. Monthly Support (1 Child)	Calculation Model
Massachusetts	$1,068	Income Shares
New York	$1,000	Income Shares
California	$950	Income Shares
Illinois	$920	Income Shares
Florida	$850	Income Shares
Pennsylvania	$830	Income Shares
Georgia	$780	Income Shares
Ohio	$750	Income Shares
Texas	$715	Percentage of Income
North Carolina	$700	Income Shares
Michigan	$690	Income Shares
Virginia	$680	Income Shares
Colorado	$670	Income Shares
Arizona	$660	Income Shares
Indiana	$640	Income Shares
Missouri	$620	Income Shares
Tennessee	$600	Income Shares
Alabama	$560	Income Shares
Kentucky	$540	Income Shares
Mississippi	$500	Income Shares

These are estimates based on a $50,000 annual income for the non-custodial parent and $30,000 for the custodial parent with no shared custody. Actual amounts will vary based on specific case details. Use our child support calculator for a personalized estimate.

What Affects the Amount

The factors that determine your specific child support amount include:

Income levels: Both parents' gross incomes are the starting point for every calculation. Higher earners pay more. For more detail, see our article on what child support is based on.
Number of children: More children means higher support, but the increase is scaled rather than doubled. Two children typically cost about 1.5 times what one child costs.
Custody arrangement: Shared custody generally reduces the support amount because both parents are directly providing for the child during their custody time.
Healthcare costs: Health insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses are factored into the calculation.
Childcare expenses: Work-related daycare, after-school care, and similar costs are included.
State formula: Each state's calculation model produces different results for the same income and family situation.

Payment Examples by Income Level

To illustrate how income affects child support amounts, here are estimated monthly payments for one child using the Income Shares model (based on average state calculations):

Non-Custodial Parent Income	1 Child	2 Children	3 Children
$25,000/year	$300-$400	$400-$550	$480-$650
$40,000/year	$500-$700	$700-$950	$820-$1,100
$60,000/year	$800-$1,100	$1,100-$1,500	$1,300-$1,700
$80,000/year	$1,100-$1,500	$1,500-$2,000	$1,800-$2,400
$100,000/year	$1,400-$1,800	$1,900-$2,500	$2,200-$2,900
$150,000/year	$1,900-$2,600	$2,600-$3,500	$3,000-$4,100

Ranges reflect variation between states. Higher-cost states like Massachusetts and New York tend toward the upper end; lower-cost states like Mississippi and Arkansas tend toward the lower end.

Notable State Differences

Some states stand out for how their formulas affect payment amounts:

Texas uses a straightforward Percentage of Income model. For one child, the non-custodial parent pays 20% of net resources. This makes Texas payments relatively predictable but sometimes lower than Income Shares states, especially for moderate-income parents.
California uses Income Shares with adjustments for high-cost-of-living areas. The state also has a "low-income adjustment" that reduces obligations for parents earning below a threshold.
Florida uses Income Shares and adjusts significantly based on the number of overnights the child spends with each parent. Parents with close to 50/50 custody may pay substantially less.
New York uses Income Shares but caps the combined parental income at $163,000 (as of 2024) for guideline purposes. For income above the cap, the court has discretion.

How U.S. Payments Compare Internationally

Child support systems around the world vary considerably in their approach and amounts:

Australia: Uses a centralized formula administered by the federal government. The formula considers both parents' incomes, the number of children, and the care arrangement. Average payments are somewhat lower than the U.S. due to Australia's more generous social safety net.
United Kingdom: The Child Maintenance Service uses a simplified formula based on the paying parent's gross weekly income and the number of children. Rates are generally lower than the U.S., ranging from roughly 12% to 25% of gross income depending on circumstances.
Canada: Uses federal guidelines based on the paying parent's income and the number of children, with provincial variations. Average payments are broadly comparable to U.S. amounts, though the system is more standardized across provinces.
Nordic countries: Countries like Sweden and Norway combine state-guaranteed child support advances with parental obligations. If a parent does not pay, the government pays the custodial parent and then collects from the non-paying parent. Guaranteed amounts are often modest but reliable.

A key difference is that the U.S. is one of the few countries where child support is determined entirely at the state level, creating significant variation within a single country.

Payment Collection Rates

One important aspect of child support averages is the gap between what is ordered and what is actually paid. Nationally, only about 46% of custodial parents receive the full amount owed. This means the "average payment" statistics are influenced by a significant number of parents who receive less than the ordered amount.

States with stronger enforcement programs tend to have higher collection rates. Tools like wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension help improve compliance. For more on this topic, read our article on what happens if child support is not paid.

Want to know what your specific child support amount would be? Use our free child support calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your state's formula, your income, and your family situation. You can also explore state-specific information for detailed guidelines.