How Much Does Daycare Cost in Hartford, CT, CT?
Infant center-based care averages $1680/month in Hartford, CT. 37% above national avg. Toddler care runs $1480/month, preschool $1260/month.
Hartford, CT average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1680
37% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$1480
$17,760/year
Preschool (center)
$1260
$15,120/year
School Age
$1055
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1330
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$3,700
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Hartford, CT vs. Connecticut vs. National Average
How Hartford, CT compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Hartford, CT |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,680/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $1,480/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo |
| School Age — Center | $1,055/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,330/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,700/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Hartford, CT
Full-time infant center care in Hartford, CT costs $20,160/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Hartford, CT families pay $5,400 more per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$20,160
Toddler / year
$17,760
Preschool / year
$15,120
School Age / year
$12,660
Childcare Subsidies in Connecticut
Connecticut participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $8,400/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $1,200/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Hartford, CT
How much does daycare cost in Hartford, CT?
Infant center-based daycare in Hartford, CT averages $1680/month in 2026. That's $450 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher local wages and demand drive prices up in this metro area.
How does Hartford, CT compare to the Connecticut state average?
Hartford, CT infant daycare runs about $120/month (7%) below the Connecticut statewide average of $1800/month. See all daycare costs in Connecticut.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Hartford, CT?
Yes. In Hartford, CT: infant care ($1680/month) → toddler care ($1480/month, 12% drop) → preschool ($1260/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($1055/month, 37% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Hartford, CT?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Hartford, CT averages $3,700/month versus $1680/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Connecticut daycare costs
See the full Connecticut statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Connecticut state costs →Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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