Daycare Cost: New York vs Philadelphia (2026)
Philadelphia infant center care runs $1320/month — $1440/month less than New York's $2760/month. That's $17,280/year per child.
New York, NY
$2760
infant/month
+$1530 vs national avg
Philadelphia, PA
$1320
infant/month
+$90 vs national avg
New York vs Philadelphia — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,760/mo | $1,320/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,440/mo | $1,170/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $2,070/mo | $990/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,730/mo | $830/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,250/mo | $1,020/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,370/mo | $2,860/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Philadelphia costs $15,840/year vs New York's $33,120/year.
Monthly savings
$1,440
Annual savings
$17,280
2-year infant care
$34,560
% difference
109%
Savings = New York cost minus Philadelphia cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in New York or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1320/month, vs. $2760/month in New York — a $1440/month gap. Philadelphia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York to Philadelphia?
Infant center-based care in Philadelphia runs $1440/month less than in New York. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $34,560 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. New York is $1530 above the national average, and Philadelphia is $90 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New York · Daycare in Philadelphia · All city comparisons