The Short Answer

If you are trying to figure out how much child care will cost your family in 2026, here is the bottom line: full-time child care in the United States ranges from approximately $600 to over $2,500 per month depending on where you live, how old your child is, and what type of care you choose. The national average for infant center-based care is roughly $1,300 per month. For a preschooler, that number drops to about $950 per month.

According to Child Care Aware of America's 2025 annual report, the average annual cost of center-based infant care in the United States was $13,184. For a family earning the median household income of roughly $80,000, that represents about 16.5% of gross income — more than double the 7% affordability threshold recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

And those numbers are from 2025. With child care costs historically rising 3–5% annually, 2026 figures are even higher. Use our Monthly Child Care Cost Calculator to get an estimate tailored to your specific state, child age, and care type.

National Average Costs by Age and Care Type

The cost of child care varies significantly based on the child's age and the type of care setting. Here are the national average annual and monthly ranges for 2026:

Infant Care (0–12 Months)

Infant care is consistently the most expensive category because state licensing requirements mandate the lowest staff-to-child ratios — typically one caregiver for every three or four infants. This means providers must charge more per child to cover labor costs.

  • Center-based infant care: $14,000–$20,000 per year ($1,170–$1,670 per month)
  • Family child care home (infant): $11,000–$16,000 per year ($920–$1,330 per month)
  • In-home nanny (one infant): $35,000–$55,000 per year including employer taxes

Toddler Care (12–36 Months)

Once your child turns one and moves into a toddler room, ratios increase to roughly one caregiver for every four to six children, bringing the per-child cost down.

  • Center-based toddler care: $12,000–$17,000 per year ($1,000–$1,420 per month)
  • Family child care home (toddler): $9,500–$14,000 per year ($790–$1,170 per month)

Preschool (3–5 Years)

Preschool classrooms typically have ratios of one teacher for every ten to twelve children, which significantly reduces per-child costs. Many states also offer publicly funded pre-K programs that can further reduce or eliminate costs.

  • Center-based preschool: $9,000–$14,000 per year ($750–$1,170 per month)
  • Family child care home (preschool): $7,500–$11,500 per year ($625–$960 per month)
  • Public pre-K: Free or low-cost in many states for eligible families

School-Age Care (6–12 Years)

Before- and after-school programs are the most affordable licensed option since they typically operate part-time and serve groups of older children.

  • After-school programs: $3,000–$8,000 per year ($250–$670 per month)
  • Summer camp programs: $2,000–$6,000 per season

For a precise estimate based on your specific situation, try our Monthly Child Care Cost Calculator.

Most Expensive vs. Least Expensive States

Geography is arguably the single biggest factor in child care pricing. The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states can be a factor of three or more. Here is the breakdown for 2026:

Top 5 Most Expensive States for Infant Center-Based Care

  1. Washington, DC: $24,000–$26,000 per year — The nation's capital has the highest child care costs in the country, driven by high rents, high staff wages, and stringent regulations.
  2. Massachusetts: $20,500–$23,000 per year — High licensing standards and a competitive labor market push costs upward.
  3. New York: $19,000–$22,000 per year — Costs are particularly high in New York City and the surrounding metro area.
  4. California: $18,000–$22,000 per year — The Bay Area and Los Angeles drive the state average significantly higher.
  5. Hawaii: $17,000–$20,000 per year — High cost of living across the board translates to expensive child care.

Top 5 Least Expensive States for Infant Center-Based Care

  1. Mississippi: $8,000–$9,500 per year — The lowest child care costs in the nation, reflecting lower wages and lower cost of living.
  2. Alabama: $8,500–$10,000 per year — Consistently among the most affordable states for child care.
  3. Arkansas: $8,500–$10,500 per year — Modest provider wages keep costs down.
  4. South Carolina: $9,000–$11,000 per year — Affordable care across most of the state.
  5. South Dakota: $9,500–$11,000 per year — Lower regulatory costs translate to lower tuition.

See where your state ranks in our detailed Child Care Costs by State 2026 article, or use the Cross-State Comparison Calculator to compare any two states side by side. You can also browse our state guides for detailed information on every state.

Child Care as a Percentage of Income

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable child care as costing no more than 7% of a family's gross household income. By that standard, the vast majority of American families are paying unaffordable child care costs.

Consider these scenarios based on 2026 data:

  • A single parent earning $35,000/year in California: Infant center-based care at $20,000/year would consume 57% of gross income.
  • A two-income family earning $80,000/year in Texas: Two children (infant and toddler) in center-based care at roughly $28,000 combined would consume 35% of gross income.
  • A family earning $150,000/year in Massachusetts: Infant center-based care at $22,000/year would consume 14.7% of income — still more than double the 7% threshold.

Even for higher-income families, child care represents a substantial expense. For low-income families, the numbers can be devastating. The federal CCDF child care subsidy program provides some relief. Use our Subsidy Eligibility Calculator to check if your family qualifies.

Cost by Care Type: Center vs. Family Care vs. Nanny

The type of care you choose dramatically affects your budget. Here is how the three main options compare for one child in 2026:

  • Center-based care: $10,000–$20,000 per year per child. Professional environment, structured curriculum, multiple staff. Most regulated option.
  • Family child care home: $8,000–$16,000 per year per child. Home setting, mixed-age groups, more flexible. Typically 15–25% cheaper than centers.
  • Nanny (including employer taxes): $35,000–$55,000 per year for one child. Most expensive for one child, but cost-competitive for two or more children. Most flexible option.

Wondering whether a nanny or daycare is the better financial choice for your family? Use our Nanny vs Daycare Calculator for a side-by-side comparison tailored to your situation.

How Child Care Costs Have Changed

Child care prices have risen sharply over the past five years. According to Child Care Aware of America, the national average price increased by approximately 23% between 2021 and 2025, closely tracking overall inflation. However, because child care was already unaffordable for many families before the recent inflation surge, the impact has been particularly severe.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, most experts expect child care costs to continue rising at 3–5% annually, driven by increasing minimum wages, rising commercial rents, and ongoing staffing shortages in the early childhood education sector.

How to Offset the Cost

While child care is expensive, there are several strategies American families can use to reduce the financial burden:

  • Dependent Care FSA (DCAP): Set aside up to $5,000 per year in pre-tax dollars for child care. This saves roughly $1,500–$2,000 in taxes annually. Learn more in our Tax Savings Calculator.
  • Child and Dependent Care Credit: Claim up to $2,100 in tax credits for two or more children (20–35% of $6,000 in qualified expenses).
  • CCDF subsidies: Federal and state-funded assistance for eligible low- and moderate-income families. Check our Subsidy Eligibility Calculator.
  • Family child care homes: Typically 15–25% cheaper than center-based care.
  • Nanny shares: Split the cost of a nanny with another family to bring per-child costs closer to center-based rates.

For a full list of money-saving strategies, read our guide on How to Save Money on Child Care.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child care cost calculated per month? Monthly child care cost is typically calculated by dividing the annual tuition by 12. Some providers charge a flat monthly rate, while others charge weekly rates that are multiplied by 52 weeks and divided by 12.

Does child care cost less for part-time? Yes, part-time care is generally prorated, but the hourly rate may be higher than full-time. Many providers charge 60–70% of the full-time rate for half-day or part-week schedules.

Are child care costs tax deductible? Child care expenses are not directly deductible, but you can benefit through the Child and Dependent Care Credit (a tax credit) or a Dependent Care FSA (pre-tax dollars). See our FAQ for more answers.

Get Your Personalized Estimate

Every family's situation is different. The best way to understand what you will actually pay is to get a personalized estimate. Use our Monthly Child Care Cost Calculator for an instant, state-specific breakdown by child age and care type. No registration required — just select your options and get your results in seconds.