Daycare costs about $13,184 a year in 2026
Child Care Aware of America's report, released May 13, 2026, puts the national average annual price of child care at $13,184 in 2025, about $1,099 a month. That is 10 percent of median income for a two parent household and 33 percent for a single parent. Infant care in a center costs more.
Cost by type and place
| National average, 2025 | $13,184 a year (CCAoA, May 2026). |
|---|---|
| Per month | About $1,099. |
| Infant, center, New Hampshire | $16,462 a year. |
| Toddler, center, New Hampshire | $15,262 a year. |
| Infant plus 4 year old, New Hampshire | About $30,000 a year. |
| 2023 national average | $11,582. |
What pushes a quote up
| Child's age | Infants cost the most. |
|---|---|
| Center or home | Family child care homes often cost less. |
| State | Prices vary widely. |
| Hours | Full time vs part time. |
| Number of children | Sibling discounts vary. |
Daycare cost by region
| Lower cost states | $10,500 to $13,200. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $13,184 to $16,462. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $17,100 to $21,400. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Prices vary a lot by state. Check your state's figures in the Child Care Aware report.
How it compares with your budget
The federal Department of Health and Human Services recommends child care cost no more than 7 percent of a family's income. The national average is well above that for most families, according to Child Care Aware of America.
From 2021 to 2025, child care prices rose 23 percent, close to overall inflation of 24 percent over the same period.
Ways families lower the bill
Check state child care subsidies, a dependent care flexible spending account through your employer, and the federal child and dependent care tax credit.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask the full time and part time rates.
- Ask about registration and supply fees.
- Ask about sibling discounts.
- Ask about late pickup fees.
- Ask how often rates rise.
Ways to pay less
- Use a dependent care FSA.
- Claim the child care tax credit.
- Check state subsidies.
- Compare a licensed home daycare.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
Common questions
How much does daycare cost?
About $13,184 a year on average, or $1,099 a month, in 2025.
How much is infant daycare?
More than average. One state's center infant care was $16,462 a year.
How much of income does child care take?
About 10 percent for two parent households and 33 percent for single parents.
Did child care prices go up?
Yes, 23 percent from 2021 to 2025.
Other service costs
Photo: Tomwsulcer, Wikimedia Commons, CC0, cropped.