Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Monterey County, CA
In Monterey County, CA, center-based childcare costs $403/wk for infants, $252/wk for toddlers, $198/wk for preschoolers, and $101/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 51% ($205/wk, $10,676/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($403/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($101/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Monterey County track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $403/wk ($20,953/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $198/wk ($10,277/yr). That's a 51% drop — about $205/wk, or $10,676 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Monterey County is Infant (0-1) at $403/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $101/wk — a spread of $302/wk between the most and least expensive bands. Cost declines steadily from infant to toddler to preschool, the typical national shape. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $101/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $403 | $20,953 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $252 | $13,118 | -$151 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $198 | $10,277 | -$205 |
| School-Age (6+) | $101 | $5,231 | -$302 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $91,043 |
| Burden Index | 23.0% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Monterey County compare?
At $403/wk for infant center care, Monterey County runs 132% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 23.0% 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 Monterey County runs $319/wk for infants — about 21% less than center-based care, or $4,382 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $101/wk (center) or $197/wk (family).
More about Monterey County
The data source behind this answer is the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Every figure on the page traces back to that source; the methodology page describes the inputs and the refresh cadence in full detail.
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.