Daycare Affordability Index 2026: 51 Cities Ranked by Cost vs Income

The federal government calls childcare affordable at 7% of household income. No major US city comes close. This index ranks 51 cities by how much of the median household income goes to full-time infant center care. Lower percentage = families get more breathing room.

Cities Ranked

National Average

19.8%

of income

Most Affordable

Virginia Beach, VA

16.5% of income

Least Affordable

New York City, NY

37.4% of income

10 most affordable cities for daycare

The most affordable cities for daycare keep infant care costs below 14% of median household income — well below the national average. These markets combine lower absolute daycare rates with higher local incomes. Families in the top 10 affordable cities typically spend $8,000–$12,000/year on infant care relative to incomes above $75,000, making childcare a meaningful but manageable budget line.

Virginia Beach, VA

$13,560/yr · $82,200 income

16.5%

of income

Oklahoma City, OK

$9,600/yr · $57,891 income

16.6%

of income

Austin, TX

$14,160/yr · $80,954 income

17.5%

of income

Omaha, NE

$11,640/yr · $65,572 income

17.8%

of income

Mesa, AZ

$12,240/yr · $66,219 income

18.5%

of income

El Paso, TX

$8,880/yr · $48,050 income

18.5%

of income

Albuquerque, NM

$10,440/yr · $54,920 income

19.0%

of income

Jacksonville, FL

$11,160/yr · $58,710 income

19.0%

of income

Bakersfield, CA

$11,520/yr · $60,450 income

19.1%

of income

Fort Worth, TX

$12,000/yr · $62,718 income

19.1%

of income

10 least affordable cities for daycare

The least affordable cities for infant daycare consume 28–40% of median household income — four to six times the federal 7% affordability benchmark. These cities combine high absolute care costs ($2,000–$2,800/month) with moderate local incomes. No major US city meets the federal standard. In the hardest markets, families face real financial trade-offs: fewer kids, one parent leaving work, or carrying debt.

New York City, NY

$26,400/yr · $70,663 income

37.4%

of income

Philadelphia, PA

$17,760/yr · $52,649 income

33.7%

of income

Baltimore, MD

$18,240/yr · $55,315 income

33.0%

of income

Santa Ana, CA

$18,960/yr · $59,228 income

32.0%

of income

Los Angeles, CA

$22,680/yr · $71,358 income

31.8%

of income

Chicago, IL

$19,800/yr · $62,812 income

31.5%

of income

Long Beach, CA

$21,000/yr · $67,556 income

31.1%

of income

Boston, MA

$25,200/yr · $82,380 income

30.6%

of income

Milwaukee, WI

$13,560/yr · $45,178 income

30.0%

of income

Anaheim, CA

$20,160/yr · $73,442 income

27.5%

of income

All 51 cities ranked

Rank ↕	City ↕	Annual Cost ↕	Median Income ↕	% of Income ↑
#1	Virginia Beach, VA	$13,560	$82,200	16.5%
#2	Oklahoma City, OK	$9,600	$57,891	16.6%
#3	Austin, TX	$14,160	$80,954	17.5%
#4	Omaha, NE	$11,640	$65,572	17.8%
#5	Mesa, AZ	$12,240	$66,219	18.5%
#6	El Paso, TX	$8,880	$48,050	18.5%
#7	Albuquerque, NM	$10,440	$54,920	19.0%
#8	Jacksonville, FL	$11,160	$58,710	19.0%
#9	Bakersfield, CA	$11,520	$60,450	19.1%
#10	Fort Worth, TX	$12,000	$62,718	19.1%
#11	Kansas City, MO	$12,000	$62,083	19.3%
#12	Arlington, TX	$11,880	$60,342	19.7%
#13	Louisville, KY	$11,040	$55,936	19.7%
#14	Raleigh, NC	$14,400	$72,476	19.9%
#15	San Antonio, TX	$10,680	$53,720	19.9%
#16	Nashville, TN	$13,200	$65,450	20.2%
#17	Phoenix, AZ	$12,600	$62,055	20.3%
#18	Charlotte, NC	$13,800	$67,097	20.6%
#19	San Francisco, CA	$28,200	$136,689	20.6%
#20	Colorado Springs, CO	$13,800	$66,835	20.7%
#21	Atlanta, GA	$15,000	$72,220	20.8%
#22	San Jose, CA	$24,600	$117,672	20.9%
#23	Houston, TX	$11,760	$56,019	21.0%
#24	Tampa, FL	$12,720	$60,038	21.2%
#25	Seattle, WA	$23,760	$110,781	21.5%
#26	Dallas, TX	$12,480	$57,274	21.8%
#27	Indianapolis, IN	$12,240	$55,834	21.9%
#28	Honolulu, HI	$21,000	$95,209	22.1%
#29	Las Vegas, NV	$12,960	$58,423	22.2%
#30	Tucson, AZ	$10,560	$47,600	22.2%
#31	Columbus, OH	$13,080	$58,453	22.4%
#32	San Diego, CA	$20,640	$89,457	23.1%
#33	Memphis, TN	$9,960	$42,933	23.2%
#34	Fresno, CA	$12,240	$51,842	23.6%
#35	Denver, CO	$17,280	$72,735	23.8%
#36	New Orleans, LA	$11,400	$46,584	24.5%
#37	Portland, OR	$18,720	$76,424	24.5%
#38	Sacramento, CA	$15,360	$62,617	24.5%
#39	Aurora, CO	$15,840	$63,145	25.1%
#40	Washington, DC	$25,800	$101,722	25.4%
#41	Minneapolis, MN	$17,760	$65,703	27.0%
#42	Anaheim, CA	$20,160	$73,442	27.5%
#43	Milwaukee, WI	$13,560	$45,178	30.0%
#44	Boston, MA	$25,200	$82,380	30.6%
#45	Long Beach, CA	$21,000	$67,556	31.1%
#46	Chicago, IL	$19,800	$62,812	31.5%
#47	Los Angeles, CA	$22,680	$71,358	31.8%
#48	Santa Ana, CA	$18,960	$59,228	32.0%
#49	Baltimore, MD	$18,240	$55,315	33.0%
#50	Philadelphia, PA	$17,760	$52,649	33.7%
#51	New York City, NY	$26,400	$70,663	37.4%

The vertical line in the burden bar marks the national average (19.8%). Sources: ACF Child Care Aware of America 2026, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023.

How this index works

This index divides each city's annual infant care cost by its median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS. That ratio — the percentage of income consumed by childcare — is the core metric. The national average runs around 21%. No major US city reaches the federal 7% affordability standard. The index measures burden, not raw cost, so high-income cities rank better than their sticker prices suggest.

For each city, we take the annual cost of full-time, licensed center-based infant care (the most common and most expensive care type for children under 12 months). We then divide that by the city's median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS 2023). That ratio is the "% of income" column — the core metric.

Nationally, that ratio is 19.8% (about $14,760/year on a $74,580 median income). The federal standard for "affordable" is 7%. No major US city meets it. Most families spending above 20% of gross income on daycare are making real financial trade-offs elsewhere.

What this doesn't capture: subsidy eligibility, family size, dual-income households, or part-time care options (which run 35–45% less). Use the DaycareCalc calculator to model your specific situation.

Cost sources: ACF Child Care Market Rate Surveys, Child Care Aware of America State Fact Sheets 2026. Income source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 (5-year estimates), city-level data.

Common questions

San Francisco often surprises people by ranking better than expected — the city has sky-high absolute costs but a median household income over $136,000. The index measures burden relative to earnings, not raw dollars. A $30,000/year daycare bill on $136K income is lighter than a $12,000 bill on a $43K income. Your city's rank tells you how hard the market is working against you.

Why does San Francisco rank better than you'd expect?

San Francisco has extremely high daycare costs in absolute dollars — but also the highest median household income of any major US city (over $136,000). The index measures burden relative to what residents earn, not raw cost. A $30,000/year daycare bill in a city where the median household earns $136K is a lighter burden than a $12,000 bill where the median is $43K.

Does this reflect subsidies or tax breaks?

No. This is the sticker-price burden — before any CCDF subsidies, Dependent Care FSA savings, or Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Qualifying families can reduce net cost significantly. The Dependent Care FSA alone saves $1,200–$2,000/year for most families. The index shows what the unsubsidized market looks like, city by city.

What's a "reasonable" percentage to spend on daycare?

HHS defines affordable childcare as 7% of household income or less. Most financial planners suggest keeping it under 10–15% for families where one parent is working primarily to cover childcare. At 20%+, the math on whether a second income is actually worth it gets complicated fast — especially once you factor in taxes, commuting, and other work-related costs.

How often is this data updated?

Daycare costs are updated annually using ACF/Child Care Aware state-level data and city market rate surveys. Census income data uses 5-year ACS estimates, updated yearly. The index reflects 2026 cost data against 2023 ACS income figures (the most recent 5-year estimates available as of 2026).

See your actual cost burden

The index uses median income. Your situation depends on your income, care schedule, and subsidy eligibility. Run the numbers for your family.

Calculate your daycare cost

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