The national median cost of infant center-based daycare is $174 per week, or about $9,025 per year. Costs range from under $150/wk in rural areas to over $500/wk in major metros. Search 3.2K counties to compare daycare center, family daycare, and preschool prices by age group.
Childcare Costs by State
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost per week in 2026?
The national median cost for infant center-based daycare is $174 per week, or approximately $9,025 per year. Costs vary dramatically by county, rural areas may be under $150/wk while high-cost metros like San Francisco, Boston, and New York can exceed $500/wk. Family-based daycare (home daycare) is typically 20-30% cheaper than center-based care. Search your county above to see exact local prices.
Why is infant daycare so expensive?
Infant care (children under 12 months) is the most expensive age group because licensing regulations require lower staff-to-child ratios. Most states require one caregiver for every 3-4 infants, compared to 1:8 or 1:10 for preschool-age children. This means a childcare center needs 2-3x more staff per infant, and labor accounts for 60-80% of childcare operating costs. Infant care also requires specialized equipment, separate sleeping areas, and more frequent feedings and diaper changes throughout the day.
Is daycare more expensive than college tuition?
In many U.S. counties, infant childcare costs more than in-state college tuition. The national median infant center care of $174/wk works out to about $9,025/yr, and in high-cost areas it exceeds $20,000/yr. For a two-child household, childcare can easily become the largest single expense after housing, often exceeding mortgage or rent payments. The Childcare Burden Index on each county page shows what percentage of local median income goes to childcare.
What is the difference between a daycare center and home daycare?
Center-based childcare (daycare centers) operate in dedicated commercial facilities with multiple classrooms, licensed staff, and structured curricula. Family-based childcare (home daycare) is run by a provider out of their own home, typically serving a smaller group of children. Center-based care is generally more expensive due to higher overhead costs, but it offers more structure and staff redundancy. Home daycare often provides a more intimate environment and may offer more flexible hours, including evening and weekend care.
What percentage of income should go to childcare?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of household income, though the national average is closer to 13%. Counties where the burden exceeds 20% are classified as severely burdened, meaning a family earning the median income would spend over one-fifth of their gross pay on childcare alone. Search your county to see the local Childcare Burden Index.
Where does this childcare pricing data come from?
All data comes from the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, published on data.gov. This dataset covers center-based and family-based childcare costs for four age groups (infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age) across every U.S. county. The DOL collects pricing data from market rate surveys conducted by state agencies as part of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. Median household income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.