Childcare Costs in the U.S.: By Age, Care Type & State (2024)
How much does childcare actually cost? We break down real pricing data by child age, care setting, and state — so you can budget smarter and plan ahead.
Childcare Cost: The National Picture
Before diving into the details, here are the headline numbers every parent and financial planner should know:
How Childcare Costs Change as Your Child Grows
Costs decline significantly as children age — largely because caregiver-to-child ratios improve. Infants may require 1:3 ratios; preschoolers allow 1:8–10. Below are national median costs by age group and care setting:
| Age Group | Center-Based (Annual) | Center-Based (Monthly) | Home-Based (Annual) | Home-Based (Monthly) | % of Median Family Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–12 mo.) | $13,935 | $1,230 | $11,992 | $999 | ~16.0% |
| Toddler (1–2 yrs) | $12,960 | $1,080 | $10,800 | $900 | ~13–15% |
| Preschool (3–5 yrs) | $11,040 | $920 | $9,600 | $800 | ~10–12% |
| School-Age (5–12 yrs) | $9,240 | $770 | $7,800 | $650 | ~8–10% |
Sources: Center-based infant care: Child Care Aware of America (2024); HHS/ACF Market Rate Surveys (2025). Home-based estimates: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), 2022 data. Monthly figures rounded. Income share: DOL Women's Bureau NDCP 2022. All figures represent national medians for full-time care.
Annual Center-Based Childcare Cost by Age Group
Source: Child Care Aware of America 2024; HHS/ACF Market Rate Surveys 2025; DOL NDCP 2022.
Which Type of Childcare Fits Your Budget?
The type of care you choose has a massive impact on your annual costs. Here's how the four most common options compare for infant care at the national level:
Sources: Nanny weekly cost ($827/week) and cost increase (+8%): FinanceBuzz citing Care.com 2024 data. Center-based weekly infant cost ($343/week): Child Care Aware of America (2024). Family home-based annual cost ($11,992): DOL NDCP 2022. All figures represent national averages and vary significantly by location.
Annual Childcare Cost by State (2024)
Costs vary dramatically across the country. Below are annual center-based infant care costs for key states, ranked from most to least expensive:
| Rank | State | Annual Cost (Infant, Center) | Monthly Equiv. | % of Married Couple Income | vs. National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington D.C. | $24,243 | $2,020 | ~19–26% | +85% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $20,913 | $1,743 | ~18–22% | +59% |
| 3 | California | $18,180 | $1,515 | ~15% | +38% |
| 4 | Minnesota | $17,160 | $1,430 | ~13–16% | +31% |
| 5 | New York | $16,380 | $1,365 | ~13–15% | +25% |
| 6 | Vermont | $16,380 | $1,365 | ~14–17% | +25% |
| 7 | New Mexico | $15,600 | $1,300 | ~21% | +19% |
| — | National Average | ~$13,128 | $1,094 | ~10% | — |
| 44 | Arkansas | $6,864 | $572 | ~10–11% | −48% |
| 45 | Louisiana | $6,552 | $546 | ~10% | −50% |
| 46 | South Dakota | $6,468 | $539 | ~9.4% | −51% |
| 47 | North Dakota | $6,396 | $533 | ~9–11% | −51% |
| 48 | Kansas | $6,132 | $511 | ~10–12% | −53% |
| 49 | New Jersey | $5,940 | $495 | ~10% | −55% |
| 50 | Mississippi | $5,436 | $453 | ~9–10% | −59% |
Sources: Annual cost figures from Economic Policy Institute (2024–2025 data in 2024 dollars), World Population Review (February 2025, citing EPI and DOL NDCP), and Child Care Aware of America 2024 Price of Care report. Income percentage from EPI and Child Care Aware affordability analysis.
Where Childcare Hits Families Hardest
The federal government defines childcare as "affordable" when it costs no more than 7% of family income. No state meets this standard for center-based infant care. Below are the states where the burden is greatest — and smallest:
🔴 Least Affordable States
Infant center care as % of married-couple median income
- 1. Washington D.C.~19–26%
- 2. Massachusetts~18–22%
- 3. New Mexico~21%
- 4. California~15%
- 5. Vermont~14–17%
- 6. Minnesota~13–16%
- 7. New York~13–15%
🟢 Most Affordable States
Infant center care as % of married-couple median income
- 1. South Dakota~9.4%
- 2. Mississippi~9–10%
- 3. North Dakota~9–11%
- 4. Louisiana~10%
- 5. New Jersey~10%
- 6. Arkansas~10–11%
- 7. Kansas~10–12%
Sources: EPI (2025), DOL NDCP, Child Care Aware of America (2024)
Single Parents Face the Steepest Climb: The national average childcare cost for one child represents 35% of single-parent median household income, compared to just 10% for married couples. In 45 states plus D.C., the average annual cost of care for two children in a center exceeded annual mortgage payments.
Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2024.
7 Ways to Reduce Your Childcare Bill
- 01
Use a Dependent Care FSA
Contribute up to $5,000/year pre-tax through your employer. At a 25% federal rate, that saves $1,250 annually — often more valuable than the child care tax credit alone. Must be elected during open enrollment.
- 02
Claim the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20–35% of up to $3,000 in expenses (one child) or $6,000 (two+). Maximum credit is $1,050 per child. Can be combined with FSA on expenses above the FSA limit — consult a tax professional to optimize both.
- 03
Apply for Child Care Subsidies (CCDF)
The Child Care and Development Fund provides subsidies to eligible lower- and moderate-income families through state-administered vouchers. Eligibility varies by state. Only 3 states' subsidy rates fully cover average infant care costs (Hawaii, Indiana, and South Dakota).
- 04
Share Nanny Costs (Nanny Share)
Splitting nanny costs with another family can cut per-family costs by 30–50% while still providing high staff-to-child ratios. Especially cost-effective for two families with similar-aged children in the same neighborhood.
- 05
Ask About Sibling Discounts
Many centers offer an average 10% discount for a second child. For families with two children in care, this can save $1,000–$2,000 per year at a typical center. Always ask — it's rarely advertised proactively.
- 06
Consider Family Care Homes
Home-based family childcare typically costs 10–20% less than center-based care per year, often with comparable quality. Look for providers licensed by your state for oversight and subsidy eligibility.
- 07
Check Employer Benefits
Many employers offer dependent care FSAs, backup childcare reimbursements, or partnerships with childcare providers. Check your HR benefits package — these perks are chronically underutilized by eligible employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Methodology
- U.S. Department of Labor — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), 2022 (most recent county-level data available)
- Child Care Aware® of America — Price of Care report (2024), based on January 2025 survey
- Economic Policy Institute (EPI) — State-level childcare cost fact sheets, March 2025 (2023 data in 2024 dollars)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey — Median household and family income by state
- HHS/ACF Child Care Market Rate Surveys — Care-type monthly averages and subsidy rate comparisons
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI-U (Child Care & Preschool) for inflation-adjusted comparisons
- FinanceBuzz / Care.com — Nanny cost data and care type weekly averages for 2024
- World Population Review — State childcare cost rankings, February 2025 (citing EPI and DOL NDCP)
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