Childcare Affordability Calculator
Enter your county and household income to see how much of your earnings would go to childcare. Add multiple children to see your total burden.
Select a county to see your childcare cost estimate
We have pricing data for 2,662 counties across the U.S.
What is the childcare affordability threshold?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as costing no more than 7% of household income. However, the national average is closer to 13-16% for infant center-based care, meaning most American families spend significantly more than the recommended threshold.
How is the childcare burden calculated?
The Childcare Burden Index divides the annualized childcare cost (weekly price x 52 weeks) by the household's gross annual income. For example, if infant care costs $200/week and your income is $60,000, the burden is ($200 x 52) / $60,000 = 17.3% of income.
What is the difference between center-based and family-based care?
Center-based care operates in a dedicated facility with multiple classrooms and licensed staff. Family-based care (family daycare) is run out of a provider's home with a smaller group. Family care is typically less expensive and may offer more flexible hours, while center care provides more structure and staff redundancy.
Costs are weekly median prices from the DOL. Burden = annualized cost / household income.