Daycare Cost: Boston, MA vs Worcester, MA (2026)
Boston, MA infant center care runs $2100/month — $210/month less than Worcester, MA's $2310/month. That's $2,520/year per child.
Boston, MA, MA
$2100
infant/month
+$870 vs national avg
Worcester, MA, MA
$2310
infant/month
+$1080 vs national avg
Boston, MA vs Worcester, MA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,100/mo ✓ | $2,310/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,850/mo ✓ | $2,050/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,575/mo ✓ | $1,730/mo |
| School Age | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,450/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,660/mo ✓ | $1,890/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,600/mo | $3,990/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Boston, MA costs $25,200/year vs Worcester, MA's $27,720/year.
Monthly savings
$210
Annual savings
$2,520
2-year infant care
$5,040
% difference
10%
Savings = Worcester, MA cost minus Boston, MA cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Boston, MA
26.1%
of $97k median income
Worcester, MA
28.7%
of $97k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Boston, MA, MA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Worcester, MA, MA — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Boston, MA or Worcester, MA?
Boston, MA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2100/month, vs. $2310/month in Worcester, MA — a $210/month gap. Boston, MA wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Worcester, MA to Boston, MA?
Infant center-based care in Boston, MA runs $210/month less than in Worcester, MA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $5,040 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Boston, MA is $870 above the national average, and Worcester, MA is $1080 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Boston, MA · Daycare in Worcester, MA · All city comparisons