Childcare Cost Comparisons
Side-by-side cost breakdowns for every childcare decision parents actually face. Montessori vs traditional. Nanny vs daycare center. Part-time vs full-time. All backed by ACF Market Rate Survey data.
By Care Type
Montessori programs cost $1,000–$1,800/mo vs. $800–$1,200 for traditional pre...
For many families, daycare ($800–$2,400/mo) costs nearly as much as one paren...
Licensed family home daycare costs $970/mo vs $1,230/mo at a center — 20–35% ...
Part-time preschool costs $300–$700/mo. Full-day daycare runs $800–$1,800/mo....
Drop-in daycare costs $10-$20/hr. Regular enrollment averages $62/day. Find y...
Part-time daycare costs 55-70% of full-time. See the savings by state and sch...
By City
Cost comparisons for the top 25 US metro areas. Pick a care type to see the breakdown.
Daycare vs Nanny 25 cities
Daycare vs Preschool 25 cities
Daycare vs Au Pair 25 cities
Full-time infant daycare runs $800 to $2,400/month depending on where you live and what type of care you choose. A nanny costs more per hour but covers two kids at the same rate. Au pairs are cheapest per-hour for families with multiple children but require a spare room and agency fees.
These comparisons pull from ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey data, adjusted for 2026 using BLS wage growth. City-level figures reflect licensed center-based care in the metro area.