[xwdv]

How much should one expect kids to cost? Is an extra $1k in expenses a reasonable estimate?

[vjeux]

Child care in the bay area is $2-3k / month per child. Plus you need a bigger home with one more bedroom so an additional $1-2k/month. Then a bigger car. This is without all the expenses related to having a child such as healthcare, food, activities…

It goes up quickly!

[xwdv]

So it sounds like $8k per month for a child is pretty reasonable, but then you hit economies of scale so the next kid will be a bit cheaper than the first to have.

[nickflood]

If you have kids and live in Europe already with a spouse who also has their hopes and dreams and works in a different field, kids cost you 500k out of the total 600k compensation because you can't (really - don't want to) move to bay area :)

[yobert]

It's not that kids cost a lot (though they might). I think it's because kids take a lot of time and energy.