30 Daycare Cost Statistics by State (2026)
The national average for infant center-based care is $1,230/month. But that number hides a 4x gap between states. Mississippi families pay $650/month; DC families pay $2,400/month. Here are the numbers that matter most if you're budgeting for childcare.
Data: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) 2024. Last updated: 2026.
$1,230/month — national average for infant center-based care
This is the median cost for full-time center-based care for children under 12 months. Based on 2024 ACF data across all 50 states plus DC.
Washington DC is the most expensive state at $2,400/month for infant care
DC's high cost of living and strict staff-to-child ratios push infant care to $2,400/month. That's 95% above the national average. Source: ACF 2024 data.
Mississippi is the most affordable at $650/month for infants
Mississippi infant care runs $650/month — 47% below the national average. Lower state wages and lower cost of living both factor in.
Costs fall $460/month as children age from infant to school age
Infant center care: $1,230/month. Toddler (1–2 years): $1,080/month. Preschool (3–5 years): $920/month. School age: $770/month. Younger children require lower staff ratios, which drives up cost.
Family home-based care averages $970/month — 21% less than center care
Home-based daycare providers operate with lower overhead than licensed centers. Average monthly cost for infant family home care: $970 nationally. Quality varies; check for state licensing and provider ratings.
A full-time nanny costs $2,700/month nationally — 2.2x center-based care
Nanny care averages $2,700/month for one child. That math changes if you have two children — a nanny for two is often cheaper per child than two center enrollments. Source: national wage data, 2024.
Families spend 10–20% of household income on childcare on average
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines "affordable" childcare as no more than 7% of household income. Most families pay well above that threshold, particularly in high-cost states.
CCDF subsidies cover a portion of childcare costs for eligible families
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) provides subsidies to qualifying families. Eligibility is based on income (typically 85% of state median income for a family of four), and reimbursement rates vary significantly by state. Not all providers accept CCDF.
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) covers up to 35% of qualifying expenses
Qualifying expenses are capped at $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more. Lower-income families receive the higher 35% credit rate; the rate phases down to 20% for families earning $43,000+. Source: IRS Publication 503.
Dependent Care FSAs reduce childcare costs by your marginal tax rate
Employers may offer Dependent Care FSAs allowing up to $5,000 in pre-tax contributions per year. On a $5,000 contribution, a family in the 22% bracket saves $1,100 in federal taxes alone. Cannot be combined with the CDCTC on the same expenses.
Methodology
Childcare cost data comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) annual childcare cost survey. State-level figures are median weekly costs converted to monthly (× 4.33). CCDF subsidy data from HHS CCDF state plans. Tax credit information from IRS Publication 503.
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.