How much child support is for one child
For one child, guideline support for a parent earning $6,000 a month gross, whose co-parent earns $4,000 and who has the child 80 nights a year, ranges from $720 to $991 a month across the six states below that start from gross income.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
| State | Estimated support | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $991.37 | Paying parent’s net resources only; no parenting time formula |
| Georgia | $719.51 | Includes the 2026 parenting time adjustment |
| North Carolina | $775.20 | Worksheet A; no reduction below 123 overnights |
| Ohio | $729.70 | Basic support; no 10% cut below 90 overnights |
| Illinois | $829.27 | HFS gross-to-net table; no reduction below 146 overnights |
| New York | $941.97 | Percentage of combined income after FICA |
Every figure comes from the same code as the state calculators on this site, which follow each state’s own statute and schedule. Texas looks only at the paying parent’s income, so its $991.37 would be the same if the other parent earned nothing; the income shares states would charge the paying parent more in that case.
How much child support is for two children
Two children cost about 25% more than one in Texas and about 50% more in the income shares states below; no state doubles the amount, because many household costs are shared.[3][2]
| State | Estimated support | Increase over one child |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $1,239.21 | 25% |
| Georgia | $1,067.22 | 48% |
| North Carolina | $1,147.80 | 48% |
| Ohio | $1,086.80 | 49% |
| Illinois | $1,228.33 | 48% |
| New York | $1,385.25 | 47% |
States that start from net income
Florida, Pennsylvania and California use income after taxes, so their figures need a net income. With net incomes of $4,800 and $3,300 a month, roughly what the gross incomes above leave after taxes, and the same 80 overnights:[9][10][11]
| State | One child | Two children | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $727.04 | $1,129.21 | Substantial time-sharing (each parent 73+ nights) applies |
| Pennsylvania | $859.85 | $1,269.93 | No reduction below 40% of overnights |
| California | $920.49 | $1,472.78 | Formula with 22% timeshare |
Florida’s figure is lower here because 80 overnights is above its 73-night threshold, which switches on the substantial time-sharing formula; the other states need 146 nights or more.
Why the amount differs by state
States choose their own formula; federal rules only require that it be numeric, based on ability to pay, include a low-income adjustment and be reviewed every four years.[1] The differences come from four choices:
- Model. 44 states use income shares, 3 use a percentage of the paying parent’s income and 3 use the Melson formula; see the income shares model.[2]
- Income definition. Gross, net, or something in between, such as New York’s gross minus FICA.
- Parenting time. Thresholds from 73 to 146 overnights, a flat 10% in Ohio, a continuous formula in Georgia and California, or none at all in Texas and New York (compare them in 50/50 custody child support).
- Schedules. Each state’s table is built from its own economic data and updated on its own calendar, from 2011 (Florida) to 2026 (Pennsylvania and Illinois).
What else is added to child support
Most states add work-related child care and the children’s health insurance premium on top of the basic amount, split by income.
- Child care for work, job search or school is added or divided between the parents in every state on this site except Texas, where it is only a reason to deviate.
- Health insurance is shared by income in most states; Texas deducts it from the payer’s income and orders medical support separately.
- Uninsured medical costs above a set amount, private school and travel between homes are added in some states or by court order.
Nationally, the average child support payment due was about $533 a month in the Census Bureau’s latest survey. For an estimate with your own numbers, use the child support calculator by state. For tables of amounts at many income levels, see how much child support is in Texas and how much child support is in California.
Estimates, not orders. A court can deviate from any guideline amount with written findings. Not legal advice; see our legal disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is child support for 1 kid?
About 12% to 17% of the paying parent’s gross income in our comparison. Concretely, a parent earning $6,000 a month gross pays $720 to $991 a month for one child, depending on the state.
How much is child support for 2 kids?
About 25% more than for one child in Texas and about 50% more in most income shares states. Texas uses 25% of net resources for two children instead of 20%; New York uses 25% of combined income instead of 17%.
Is child support a percentage of income?
Directly only in Texas, Mississippi and North Dakota, and in New York’s percentage of combined income. Most states use a schedule built from both parents’ incomes, which works out to a falling percentage as income rises.
Does the other parent’s income change child support?
In income shares states, yes: the higher the other parent’s share of combined income, the less the paying parent owes. In Texas, the other parent’s income does not enter the formula.
Sources
- 45 CFR § 302.56, Guidelines for setting child support orders
- Texas Child Support Guidelines Review Report 2025 (national inventory of guideline models, pp. 13–18)
- Texas Family Code, Chapter 154 (Child Support)
- SB 454 (2024), as passed: amends O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 (new table; parenting time and low-income adjustments)
- North Carolina Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162, Rev. 1/23)
- JFS 07767, Basic Child Support Schedule (Rev. 6/2023)
- 2026 Illinois Schedule of Basic Obligations
- Family Court Act § 413 (Child Support Standards Act)
- Section 61.30, Florida Statutes: child support guidelines
- Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.16-3, Basic Child Support Schedule
- Family Code § 4055 (statewide uniform guideline formula)