Monthly Daycare Cost Breakdown (2026)
National average: $1,230/month for infant center-based care. Toddlers: $1,080/month. Preschool: $920/month. Select your state and age below to see the monthly, weekly, and daily rate — plus your net cost after tax benefits.
Last updated: March 2026 • Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey
Your Monthly Cost Estimate
What the Monthly Bill Covers
Full-time care (typically 6:30am–6pm), curriculum, routine activities. Most centers include snacks; some include full meals.
Annual supply fee split into monthly payments. Usually $100–$300/year or $8–$25/month. Ask before signing.
One-time enrollment fee, usually $50–$200. Some centers charge annual re-enrollment. Often waived during promotional periods.
Most centers charge $1–$5/minute after closing time. Five minutes late twice a week adds $40–$200/month.
Monthly Rates by State (Infant Center)
All 50 states →| State | Monthly | Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $2,400/mo | $554/wk | $28,800/yr |
| Massachusetts | $2,200/mo | $508/wk | $26,400/yr |
| California | $1,800/mo | $416/wk | $21,600/yr |
| New York | $1,950/mo | $450/wk | $23,400/yr |
| Colorado | $1,600/mo | $370/wk | $19,200/yr |
| Texas | $1,050/mo | $242/wk | $12,600/yr |
| Florida | $1,000/mo | $231/wk | $12,000/yr |
| Ohio | $950/mo | $219/wk | $11,400/yr |
| Georgia | $900/mo | $208/wk | $10,800/yr |
| Alabama | $700/mo | $162/wk | $8,400/yr |
| Mississippi | $650/mo | $150/wk | $7,800/yr |
Budgeting for the Monthly Bill
If your center bills weekly, two or three months per year will have 5 billing weeks. On a $300/week rate, that's an extra $300 in those months. Set aside $65/month as a buffer or budget $1,299/month instead of $1,200.
The $5,000 annual FSA limit reduces taxable income. At 22% federal tax bracket plus 7.65% payroll tax, that's $1,482 back. Divided across 12 months: $124/month savings. The catch: you must elect it during open enrollment or within 30 days of a qualifying life event (like a new child).
Many centers offer 10–20% off for a second child. At $1,230/month, a 15% sibling discount saves $185/month on the second child. That changes the math on whether two kids at the same center beats splitting them.
Three-day-per-week enrollment (M/W/F) typically runs 55–65% of full-time tuition, not 60% — centers need to hold the slot. At a $1,230/month full-time rate, 3-day care might be $680–$800/month. Only works if you have coverage the other two days.
Monthly Daycare Cost: Common Questions
Why does my monthly daycare cost fluctuate? +
Two reasons. First: centers that charge by the week bill 5 weeks in months where their billing cycle lands that way — happens 2–3 times per year. Second: holiday weeks. Some centers charge full tuition during closed weeks (Thanksgiving week, winter break). Others prorate. Ask for the annual payment schedule before you enroll so there are no surprises in December.
Does daycare cost the same every month? +
Centers charging a flat monthly rate: yes, mostly consistent. Centers charging weekly: variable. If you're charged $300/week and a month has 5 Mondays, you'll see a $1,500 bill instead of $1,200. Annual supply fees are sometimes split into one large charge. The only constant is the base tuition — add-ons make the real bill unpredictable until you've been enrolled a full year.
How much will I pay monthly after tax credits? +
At $1,230/month gross cost: max out your Dependent Care FSA ($5,000/year, saves $92/month in taxes at 22% bracket). The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit covers 20% of the next $3,000 in expenses — worth about $50/month. Total reduction: $142/month. Net cost: roughly $1,088/month. Families at higher income brackets with higher marginal rates save more from the FSA. Families under $43,000 AGI get a higher credit rate (up to 35%).
Is monthly or weekly billing better? +
Monthly billing is more predictable for budgeting. Weekly billing can occasionally work in your favor — some centers don't charge for holidays when billing weekly. But most weekly-billing centers charge for closures anyway. If you're given a choice, monthly flat billing is easier to plan around. If the center bills weekly, budget using the 4.33 weeks/month figure rather than assuming 4.
How much does home-based daycare cost per month vs. a center? +
Home-based (family daycare) providers typically charge 20–30% less than licensed centers for the same age group and location. At the national infant average of $1,230/month for centers, comparable home-based care runs $860–$985/month. The trade-off: smaller group sizes (usually 6 children vs. 12–20 at centers), one primary caregiver with less backup coverage, and sometimes less structured curriculum. Quality varies more across home providers than across licensed centers.
Data: ACF Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Market Rate Surveys, BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, ACF CCDF Policy Database
Last updated: January 2026
How we calculate this · Subsidy eligibility estimates are indicative only. Contact your state's childcare resource agency for current availability.