Childcare Cost in District of Columbia, DC
Infant center-based childcare in District of Columbia, DC costs $490 per week ($25,480 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $400 per week ($20,800 per year). With a median household income of $101,722, the childcare burden index is 25.0% of income. The national median weekly infant center care cost is $174 for comparison.
Cost by Care Type
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Family/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $490 | $400 |
| Toddler (1-2) | $451 | $393 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $393 | $368 |
| School-Age (6+) | $0 | $0 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $101,722 |
| Burden Index | 25.0% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does District of Columbia compare?
At $490/wk for infant center care, District of Columbia runs 182% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 25.0% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in District of Columbia runs $400/wk for infants — about 18% less than center-based care, or $4,680 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $0/wk (center) or $0/wk (family).
This answer pulls from the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, the authoritative federal source for U.S. childcare prices. The headline number above is the direct answer; what follows is the additional context most readers need to use the answer for a real decision rather than just a fact lookup.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.