Childcare Cost in San Francisco County, CA
Infant center-based childcare in San Francisco County, CA costs $607 per week ($31,544 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $395 per week ($20,559 per year). With a median household income of $136,689, the childcare burden index is 23.1% 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) | $607 | $395 |
| Toddler (1-2) | $433 | $369 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $477 | $410 |
| School-Age (6+) | $438 | $433 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $136,689 |
| Burden Index | 23.1% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does San Francisco County compare?
At $607/wk for infant center care, San Francisco County runs 250% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 23.1% 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 San Francisco County runs $395/wk for infants — about 35% less than center-based care, or $10,985 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $438/wk (center) or $433/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.