Average Child Support Payment by State (2026)
How much is the average child support payment? The answer depends heavily on your state, your income, and your custody arrangement. Below you will find average payments for all 50 states, along with a personalized calculator to estimate what you might actually pay or receive.
Updated April 2026 · Data based on current state guidelines and median income
What "Average" Actually Means for Child Support
When people search for the "average child support payment," they usually want to know what to expect in their own case. The truth is that averages can be misleading. The national average of roughly $430-$480 per month for one child is based on median household income (approximately $60,000 per year) with a standard custody arrangement. Your actual amount could be significantly higher or lower.
Child support is calculated using a formula, not a flat rate. Two parents earning $40,000 each will have a very different result than a case where one parent earns $120,000 and the other earns $30,000. The averages in the table below assume one child, a combined household income near the national median, and a traditional custody split where one parent has primary physical custody.
To find out what your payment would actually be, use the personalized calculator below the state table.
Average Child Support by State — Interactive Table
Search for your state or sort by any column. The table shows the average monthly payment for one child, the typical range, and which calculation model your state uses. Below the table, enter your actual income to see a personalized estimate.
| State ▲ | Model | Avg Monthly (1 Child) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | Income Shares | $410/mo | $280 – $580 |
| Alaska (AK) | Percentage of Income | $520/mo | $350 – $720 |
| Arizona (AZ) | Income Shares | $440/mo | $300 – $620 |
| Arkansas (AR) | Income Shares | $370/mo | $250 – $530 |
| California (CA) | Income Shares | $560/mo | $380 – $780 |
| Colorado (CO) | Income Shares | $480/mo | $320 – $670 |
| Connecticut (CT) | Income Shares | $580/mo | $400 – $790 |
| Delaware (DE) | Melson Formula | $470/mo | $310 – $660 |
| District of Columbia (DC) | Income Shares | $600/mo | $420 – $810 |
| Florida (FL) | Income Shares | $450/mo | $300 – $640 |
| Georgia (GA) | Income Shares | $430/mo | $290 – $610 |
| Hawaii (HI) | Income Shares | $540/mo | $370 – $740 |
| Idaho (ID) | Income Shares | $380/mo | $260 – $540 |
| Illinois (IL) | Income Shares | $490/mo | $330 – $690 |
| Indiana (IN) | Income Shares | $420/mo | $280 – $590 |
| Iowa (IA) | Income Shares | $410/mo | $270 – $580 |
| Kansas (KS) | Income Shares | $400/mo | $270 – $570 |
| Kentucky (KY) | Income Shares | $390/mo | $260 – $550 |
| Louisiana (LA) | Income Shares | $380/mo | $250 – $540 |
| Maine (ME) | Income Shares | $430/mo | $290 – $610 |
| Maryland (MD) | Income Shares | $530/mo | $360 – $740 |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Income Shares | $570/mo | $390 – $780 |
| Michigan (MI) | Income Shares | $440/mo | $300 – $620 |
| Minnesota (MN) | Income Shares | $480/mo | $320 – $670 |
| Mississippi (MS) | Percentage of Income | $350/mo | $230 – $500 |
| Missouri (MO) | Income Shares | $410/mo | $270 – $580 |
| Montana (MT) | Income Shares | $400/mo | $270 – $570 |
| Nebraska (NE) | Income Shares | $410/mo | $270 – $580 |
| Nevada (NV) | Percentage of Income | $460/mo | $310 – $650 |
| New Hampshire (NH) | Income Shares | $500/mo | $340 – $700 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | Income Shares | $560/mo | $380 – $770 |
| New Mexico (NM) | Income Shares | $370/mo | $250 – $530 |
| New York (NY) | Income Shares | $570/mo | $390 – $790 |
| North Carolina (NC) | Income Shares | $430/mo | $290 – $610 |
| North Dakota (ND) | Percentage of Income | $390/mo | $260 – $550 |
| Ohio (OH) | Income Shares | $440/mo | $300 – $620 |
| Oklahoma (OK) | Income Shares | $380/mo | $250 – $540 |
| Oregon (OR) | Income Shares | $470/mo | $320 – $660 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | Income Shares | $460/mo | $310 – $650 |
| Rhode Island (RI) | Income Shares | $470/mo | $320 – $660 |
| South Carolina (SC) | Income Shares | $400/mo | $270 – $570 |
| South Dakota (SD) | Income Shares | $380/mo | $250 – $540 |
| Tennessee (TN) | Income Shares | $410/mo | $270 – $580 |
| Texas (TX) | Percentage of Income | $460/mo | $310 – $650 |
| Utah (UT) | Income Shares | $420/mo | $280 – $590 |
| Vermont (VT) | Income Shares | $460/mo | $310 – $650 |
| Virginia (VA) | Income Shares | $480/mo | $320 – $670 |
| Washington (WA) | Income Shares | $510/mo | $350 – $710 |
| West Virginia (WV) | Income Shares | $360/mo | $240 – $510 |
| Wisconsin (WI) | Percentage of Income | $450/mo | $300 – $630 |
| Wyoming (WY) | Income Shares | $390/mo | $260 – $550 |
Averages based on one child with median household income (~$60,000/yr). Actual amounts depend on both parents' incomes, custody arrangement, and state-specific factors.
State averages are useful benchmarks, but your actual child support depends on your specific incomes and custody arrangement. Enter your details below to see a personalized estimate compared to the state average.
Factors That Determine Your Child Support Amount
While averages give you a ballpark, your actual child support will depend on several specific factors. Understanding these helps you interpret your calculator results and prepare for discussions with an attorney or mediator.
Income of Both Parents
In 41 states (Income Shares model), both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the child's support need. The higher the combined income, the higher the base obligation. Each parent's share is proportional to their income contribution. In Percentage of Income states (TX, WI, MS, NV, AK, ND), only the non-custodial parent's income matters.
Number of Children
More children means a higher total obligation, but not a linear increase. The typical percentage for one child is around 17-25% of income. For two children it rises to 25-35%, and for three children 29-40%. The per-child amount decreases as the number increases due to economies of scale.
Custody Arrangement
The number of overnights each parent has significantly affects child support. An every-other-weekend arrangement (about 52 overnights/year) produces a higher payment than a 50/50 split (182 overnights). Most states reduce the obligation once the non-custodial parent exceeds a threshold of overnights, typically 90-110 per year.
Healthcare and Childcare Costs
The cost of health insurance premiums for the child and work-related childcare (daycare, after-school care) are typically added to the base obligation and split between parents proportionally. These add-ons can increase the total payment by $100-$400 per month depending on the costs involved.
State Guidelines and Model
Each state has its own formula with specific percentages, income caps, self-support reserves, and adjustment rules. California's formula produces different results than Texas's, even with identical incomes and custody arrangements, because the underlying models are structurally different.
Special Circumstances
Courts can deviate from guidelines for a child's special medical or educational needs, extraordinary travel costs for visitation, a parent supporting children from another relationship, or significant income disparities. Self-employment income, bonuses, and stock compensation require additional analysis.
How Average Payments Change With Income
To illustrate how much income affects the result, here are approximate monthly child support payments for one child across different income levels in a typical Income Shares state, assuming the non-custodial parent earns the listed amount and the custodial parent earns 75% of that amount, with a standard custody arrangement:
| Non-Custodial Income (Monthly) | Approximate Monthly Support | % of Income |
|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $280 – $350 | 11% – 14% |
| $4,000 | $400 – $500 | 10% – 13% |
| $6,000 | $550 – $700 | 9% – 12% |
| $8,000 | $700 – $900 | 9% – 11% |
| $10,000 | $850 – $1,100 | 9% – 11% |
| $15,000 | $1,200 – $1,600 | 8% – 11% |
Notice that while the dollar amount increases with income, the percentage of income tends to decrease slightly at higher income levels. This is because most states' guidelines use a schedule where the marginal child support rate decreases as income rises — similar to how tax brackets work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average child support payment in the US?
The national average child support payment is approximately $430-$480 per month for one child, based on median household income of around $60,000 per year. However, this average masks enormous variation. States with higher costs of living like California, New York, and Massachusetts average $560-$570 per month, while lower-cost states like Mississippi and West Virginia average $350-$360 per month. Your individual amount depends on your specific income, the other parent's income, your custody arrangement, and your state's formula.
How is child support calculated?
Child support is calculated using one of three models depending on your state. The Income Shares model (used by 41 states) combines both parents' incomes and looks up the obligation in a published schedule. The Percentage of Income model (6 states including Texas) applies a flat percentage to the non-custodial parent's income only. The Melson Formula (3 states) is similar to Income Shares but includes self-support reserves. All models then adjust for custody time, healthcare costs, and childcare expenses.
Does child support change based on custody arrangement?
Yes, significantly. In most states, the more overnight time the non-custodial parent has with the child, the lower the support obligation. For example, moving from every-other-weekend (52 overnights) to a 50/50 split (182 overnights) can reduce support by 30-50% or more. Many states apply a shared-custody adjustment once the non-custodial parent exceeds approximately 90-110 overnights per year. Some states like Colorado use a smooth formula that adjusts gradually with each additional overnight.
Why does the average child support payment vary so much by state?
State averages vary because of differences in cost of living, median incomes, the calculation model used, and how each state defines income for child support purposes. High-cost states have higher median incomes and build higher child-rearing costs into their formulas. Additionally, states differ in how they handle deductions (some use gross income, others net), what expenses they add to the base obligation, and how they adjust for shared custody.
Can I pay less than the average child support amount?
Child support is based on your specific circumstances, not on averages. If your income is below the median, you have more parenting time than average, or you have other children to support, your obligation could be well below the state average. Courts can also deviate from guidelines for documented financial hardship. However, you cannot simply choose to pay less — the amount is determined by your state's formula and any court-approved deviations must be based on specific criteria outlined in state law.
Related Resources
Child Support by State
Detailed calculators for each state with specific guidelines and income tables.
Free Child Support Calculator
Calculate your exact child support using your state's official formula.
How to Calculate Child Support
Step-by-step explanation of the three calculation models used in the US.
Average child support data is based on state guidelines applied to median household income figures. Individual payments vary based on actual income, custody arrangements, and state-specific adjustments. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a family law attorney for guidance specific to your case.