Average Daycare Cost in California 2026
Monthly and annual rates by age group, city, and care type
The average daycare cost in California is $1800/month for infants and $1300/month for preschool-age children in 2026. That's 46% above national avg for infant care ($1230 nationally). Toddler programs run $1600/month, school-age aftercare $1100/month. Home-based care averages $1400/month for infants. Scroll down to calculate your net cost after the federal tax credit and FSA savings.
Daycare Cost by Age Group in California
| Age Group | California |
|---|---|
| Infant (center) | $1800/mo |
| Toddler (center) | $1600/mo |
| Preschool (center) | $1300/mo |
| School-age (center) | $1100/mo |
| Infant (home-based) | $1400/mo |
Paying too much? 1 in 6 eligible families don't claim childcare subsidies.
Check California's income limits and CCDF eligibility. Takes 2 minutes.
What can you actually do about it?
You know what daycare costs in California. These tools help you figure out your next move.
Is working worth it in California?
Net income after daycare, taxes, and commute costs
Can you afford a baby in California?
Full first-year costs: daycare, medical, gear, lost income
Total cost to raise a child in California
Full 18-year estimate: daycare, housing, food, education
What programs do you qualify for?
CCDF, Head Start, pre-K, tax credits. One scan covers all of them
What Childcare Costs at Your Income
Enter your household income. See what % goes to childcare, whether you may qualify for subsidies, and your actual monthly cost after tax savings.
California area median: $91,000/year
% of Income
CCDF Subsidy
California's income limit: $9,077/month (family of 4). Max infant subsidy: $1,100/month.
Check eligibility →Your income is close to the $9,077/month limit. Eligibility depends on family size and other factors.
Check eligibility →CCDF limit for family of 4: $9,077/month. Federal tax credits still apply — see net cost below.
Tax credit guide →Net Monthly Cost
—
after federal tax credits
California vs National
—
Typical US family pays ~20% of income on infant care at $75K. The HHS "affordable" benchmark is 7%.
See California income ratio data →IRS 2026 CDCTC rates used for net cost estimate. Subsidy eligibility is estimated — actual qualification depends on family size, work status, and provider availability. Consult a tax advisor for personalized advice.
California average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1800
46% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$1600
$19,200/year
Preschool (center)
$1300
$15,600/year
School Age
$1100
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1400
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$3,500
Full-time, statewide avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
How Does California Daycare Cost Compare to the National Average?
In 2026, infant center-based daycare in California averages $1800/month, which is 46% above the national average of $1230/month. California families pay $570/month more the typical American family for the same type of care.
| Age / Care Type | California |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,800/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $1,600/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,300/mo |
| School Age — Center | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,400/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,500/mo |
How Much Does a Year of Daycare Cost in California?
Full-time infant center care in California costs $21,600/year in 2026. That is $6,840 more than the national average of $14,760/year. Costs drop as children age: toddler care runs $19,200/year and preschool $15,600/year.
Infant / year
$21,600
Toddler / year
$19,200
Preschool / year
$15,600
School Age / year
$13,200
Your Actual Cost After Tax Benefits
Gross cost isn't what you pay. The federal Child & Dependent Care Credit saves most families $600–$1,200/year. Add an FSA and you cut another $1,250–$1,900. Enter your income below.
Default: California area median (Census 2024 ACS)
Available through many employers. Reduces taxable income and FICA — worth more per dollar than the credit alone.
IRS 2026 DCTC rates. FSA savings include income + FICA (7.65%) tax reduction. Non-refundable credit — reduces tax owed, not a cash refund. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
What Childcare Subsidies Are Available in California?
California participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $9,077/month (85% of state median income) may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $1,100/month.
At California's average infant rate of $1800/month, the maximum subsidy covers about 61% of the cost for qualifying families.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in California
How much does daycare cost in California?
Infant center-based daycare in California averages $1800/month in 2026. That's $570 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher wages and cost of living push prices up. Toddler care runs $1600/month and preschool $1300/month.
What is the difference between center-based and home-based daycare in California?
Center-based infant care in California averages $1800/month; home-based (licensed family daycare) averages $1400/month — about 22% less. Home-based care typically has smaller groups and more flexible hours. Centers tend to offer more structured programs. Both are licensed by the state.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in California?
For one child, no. A full-time nanny in California averages $3,500/month versus $1800/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip — two daycare slots at $1800 each ($3,600/month) often exceeds a single nanny cost. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator to compare.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in California?
Yes — significantly. In California: infant care ($1800/month) → toddler care ($1600/month, 11% drop) → preschool ($1300/month, 28% drop from infant) → school age ($1100/month, 39% drop from infant). This pattern holds in every state — staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age. Once kindergarten starts, most families switch to California after-school care — see the school-district, YMCA, and private-program rates, or the national after-school care cost guide.
How Much Does Daycare Cost in Different California Cities?
Daycare costs in California vary widely by city. Urban areas like major metro centers typically run 20–35% higher than the statewide average of $1800/month for infant care. Below are city-level estimates based on local cost-of-living adjustments.
Anaheim, CA
$1680/mo infant
Bakersfield, CA
$960/mo infant
Carlsbad, CA
$2250/mo infant
Chula Vista, CA
$2160/mo infant
Clovis, CA
$1710/mo infant
Concord, CA
$2160/mo infant
Daly City, CA
$2430/mo infant
Elk Grove, CA
$1980/mo infant
Fontana, CA
$1890/mo infant
Fremont, CA
$2480/mo infant
Fresno, CA
$1020/mo infant
Glendale, CA
$2070/mo infant
Hayward, CA
$2340/mo infant
Huntington Beach, CA
$2340/mo infant
Irvine, CA
$2480/mo infant
Long Beach, CA
$1750/mo infant
Los Angeles, CA
$1890/mo infant
Modesto, CA
$1800/mo infant
Moreno Valley, CA
$1890/mo infant
Ontario, CA
$1890/mo infant
Oxnard, CA
$2070/mo infant
Palmdale, CA
$1800/mo infant
Point Reyes Station, CA
$2530/mo infant
Pomona, CA
$1890/mo infant
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
$1980/mo infant
Riverside, CA
$1980/mo infant
Rohnert Park, CA
$1720/mo infant
Roseville, CA
$2020/mo infant
Sacramento, CA
$1280/mo infant
Salinas, CA
$1980/mo infant
San Bernardino, CA
$1800/mo infant
San Diego, CA
$1720/mo infant
San Francisco, CA
$2350/mo infant
San Jose, CA
$2050/mo infant
Santa Ana, CA
$1580/mo infant
Santa Barbara, CA
$2040/mo infant
Santa Clarita, CA
$2160/mo infant
Simi Valley, CA
$2070/mo infant
South El Monte, CA
$1700/mo infant
Stockton, CA
$1800/mo infant
Sunnyvale, CA
$2610/mo infant
Temecula, CA
$1940/mo infant
Venice, CA
$1985/mo infant
Visalia, CA
$1660/mo infant
Vista, CA
$1980/mo infant
West Covina, CA
$1980/mo infant
Westminster, CA
$2070/mo infant
Or see all 100 cities across the US · compare cities side by side.
Get your local cost
Statewide averages vary a lot by ZIP code. Enter yours to see what daycare actually costs near you.
See all 50 states
Compare California against every other state — filter by age group and care type, sorted by cost.
Daycare cost by state →Daycare Cost Data by ZIP Code in California
Statewide averages vary a lot by ZIP code. See local daycare market data for the largest communities in California.
How Does California Compare to Nearby States for Daycare?
Infant center-based daycare in California costs $1800/month. Neighboring states range from $1000 to $1500/month for the same care type. If you live near a state line, the savings could add up to thousands per year.
Compare California Daycare Costs
Side-by-side state comparisons — see how daycare costs differ across state lines.
How Do Daycare Costs Change by Age in California?
Infant care is the most expensive at $1800/month in California. Costs drop as children age: toddler care averages $1600/month, preschool $1300/month, and school-age programs $1100/month. Click any age group to compare across all 50 states.
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