ChatGPT Reveals the Cheapest and Most Expensive Ages To Be Alive in America
Most people first learn about the importance of money around the age of 5 or 6, when they begin earning an allowance for doing household chores. They might not know it yet, but life will never be cheaper than it is right now.
From there, your costs will keep rising and rising -- for decades.
What are the most expensive (and cheapest) ages to be alive in America? We asked ChatGPT that question, and here's what it had to say.
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The ‘Essentially Free’ Stage of Life
As ChatGPT noted, the cost of being alive in the U.S. “varies a lot by age” due to factors such as income, housing, child care, healthcare and education. But by nearly any measure, the cheapest period of life is early childhood. The reason is simple: You don’t have to pay for anything. From a personal-cost perspective, infancy is “essentially free,” according to ChatGPT.
But there’s a catch — it’s also “one of the most expensive stages for parents.” Life is also relatively inexpensive for those ages 6 to 17 because parents still cover most expenses. High schoolers who earn money often use it only for discretionary purchases. There are exceptions, however. Many teens in low-income families use part of their earnings to help pay for essential household expenses.
The Cheapest Ages
Once you enter adulthood, two age groups — on opposite ends of the life spectrum — tend to be the least expensive. Here’s a breakdown.
College/Post-High School Years (Ages 18 to 23)
Many people in this age group still live with their parents or guardians, who may continue to cover food, insurance, phone bills and even clothing. This can also apply to high school graduates who go straight into the workforce. College students often have subsidized housing and prepaid meal plans. Because most Americans in this age group have no dependents, their expenses are typically limited to shared rent and discretionary spending, such as dining out, streaming services and entertainment.
Early Retirement Years (Ages 65 to 72)
This is a “surprisingly affordable” stage for many Americans — as long as they’ve built adequate retirement savings to handle unexpected costs. Many people in this group have paid off their mortgages, eliminating monthly housing payments. They may also transition from private insurance to Medicare and have fewer work-related expenses. Additional savings can come from senior discounts and certain tax advantages. Most people in this age group also do not yet require assisted living or long-term care, which can be costly and is not typically covered by Medicare.
The Most Expensive Ages
It’s no surprise that the most expensive years tend to occur when financial responsibilities peak.
Young Family Years (Ages 30 to 45)
This is when peak expenses often overlap, including higher mortgage or rent payments. Starting a family can significantly increase costs. Annual child care expenses can range from $10,000 to $20,000, according to ChatGPT, though a 2025 LendingTree study estimates closer to $30,000 per year for a young child. Other major expenses include health care premiums, student loan payments and transportation costs for multiple people. Although incomes often rise during this stage, expenses tend to increase even faster.
Early Adulthood (Ages 25 to 34)
This is typically when people transition to full financial independence, meaning parents or guardians are no longer covering expenses. Common costs include rent and utilities, student loan payments, insurance premiums and car payments or transit costs. Starting salaries are often not high enough to cover more than basic living expenses, making it difficult to save and build a financial cushion.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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