Child care costs $541 to $2,039 per month in 2026
Child care costs $541 to $2,039 per month in 2026, based on your state and the type of care. Wonderschool puts the national daycare average at $343 a week, or about $1,372 a month. ConsumerAffairs lists toddler care at $541 a month in Mississippi and $2,039 a month in Massachusetts. Care.com says nannies cost far more than daycare centers, near $870 a week for an infant.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Wonderschool | Wonderschool lists the national average at $343 a week, about $1,372 a month, and infant care at $1,560 to $1,800 a month. |
| ConsumerAffairs | ConsumerAffairs lists toddler daycare at $2,039 a month in Massachusetts and $541 a month in Mississippi. |
| Care.com | Care.com lists daycare centers at $332 a week for one infant and $308 for one toddler, and nannies at $870 a week for one infant. |
Child care prices by type and age
| Type of care | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Infant at a daycare center | $332 a week | Care.com |
| Toddler at a daycare center | $308 a week | Care.com |
| Infant care, monthly range | $1,560 to $1,800 a month | Wonderschool |
| Preschool, monthly range | $1,120 to $1,360 a month | Wonderschool |
| Home-based daycare | $900 to $1,400 a month | Wonderschool |
| Daycare center | $1,400 to $2,000 or more a month | Wonderschool |
| Nanny for one infant | $870 a week | Care.com |
| Toddler care in Massachusetts | $2,039 a month | ConsumerAffairs |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| State | Toddler care costs about $541 a month in Mississippi and $2,039 in Massachusetts, so where you live is the biggest driver of the bill. |
| Age of the child | Infants cost the most because they need more staff per child. Prices fall as the child gets older and moves toward preschool. |
| Type of care | Home daycare costs less than a center, and a nanny costs the most because you pay one adult to care for your child. |
| Full time or part time | Full week care costs the most. Some centers sell part week slots, but the rate per day can be higher. |
| Number of children | Care.com lists two toddlers at a daycare center at $585 a week, so a second child adds cost, though less than the first. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers supervised care, meals or snacks at many centers, and basic play and learning time. Registration fees, late pickup fees, diapers, and supplies can cost extra. A nanny is paid wages, and you may also owe employer taxes. Au pair care adds agency fees on top of the weekly pay.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Child care comes from daycare centers, home-based providers, nannies, and au pairs. Centers and home daycares usually bill by the week or month, and you pay whether or not your child attends on a given day. Many ask for a registration fee and a deposit. A nanny works for you, so you pay wages and may owe employer taxes. An au pair gets a weekly stipend, and Wonderschool lists it at $215.75, plus yearly agency fees of $8,000 to $10,000. Read the contract for holiday, sick day, and late pickup rules.
When you need this
Most families look for child care when both parents work, when a parent goes back to work after leave, or when a child is old enough for group learning. Waitlists for infants can run many months, so start your search early. Tour each place, ask about staff ratios and safety rules, and check state license records before you sign.
How to judge your quote
- Ask what the weekly or monthly fee covers, meals included or not.
- Ask about registration, late pickup, and supply fees.
- Ask if you pay for holidays and sick days.
- Ask for the rate for a second child.
- Compare the total with the range above: $541 to $2,039 per month for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Look at home-based daycare. Wonderschool says it often costs 30 to 40 percent less than a center, at $900 to $1,400 a month.
- Ask your employer about a dependent care account. It lets you pay for care with pre-tax money, which lowers your tax bill.
- Check state and local aid. Many states have subsidy programs that cut costs for families under an income limit.
- Share a nanny with another family. You split the weekly pay, which can bring nanny care closer to center prices.
- Compare more than one provider. Prices in the same town can differ by hundreds of dollars a month, so tour at least three places.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Wonderschool, ConsumerAffairs and Care.com. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does child care cost per month?
Wonderschool puts the national average at about $1,372 a month. By state, ConsumerAffairs lists toddler care from $541 a month in Mississippi to $2,039 in Massachusetts.
Is a nanny or daycare cheaper?
Daycare is cheaper. Care.com lists daycare centers at $332 a week for an infant, while nannies run $870 a week.
Which age costs the most for child care?
Infants cost the most. Wonderschool lists infant care at $1,560 to $1,800 a month, and preschool at $1,120 to $1,360.
How much is home daycare compared to a center?
Wonderschool lists home-based daycare at $900 to $1,400 a month and centers at $1,400 to $2,000 or more. Home care often costs 30 to 40 percent less.
Which states have the cheapest child care?
ConsumerAffairs lists Mississippi at $541 a month, West Virginia near $712, and Alabama near $721 for toddler care. Massachusetts, Vermont, and Oregon are the most costly.