How much does childcare cost?
There's no simple answer to this question. It depends on a number of variables, including:
•Where you live
•What type of childcare you choose
•Your child's age
•How many hours a week your child spends in childcare
Where you live is what really determines the bottom line. Nanny care costs significantly less in, say, St. Louis than in San Francisco simply because the cost of living is lower there and so are wages. And daycare — whether in a center or in someone's home — could cost hundreds more per month in a relatively expensive city than in a cheaper area. Your best bet is to check with friends and caregivers near you to determine the going rate for the type of childcare you prefer.
There are costs associated with being your child's full-time caregiver, too — most significantly, loss of your previous income. Read our complete article on the affordability of being a stay-at-home parent.
If you're deciding which kind of childcare to choose, read on to learn out about the relative costs and check out our chart that lists the pros and cons of each option.
How much do daycare centers cost?
Childcare for babies and toddlersWhile your child is in the baby and toddler stages, you'll pay more. That's because kids this age need more hands-on care and so the center must hire more caregivers. With an average of $8,150 per year ($679 a month), daycare costs for babies and toddlers in the United States range from $4,388 to $14,647 a year ($366 to $1,221 monthly), according to data from the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).
Topping the charts with costs over $11,000 a year ($917 a month) for baby and toddler daycare are the following states, beginning with the most expensive: Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
And at the bottom of the charts, here are the states with daycare costs below $6,000 a year ($500 a month) for baby and toddler daycare, beginning with the least expensive: Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Texas, Idaho, North Dakota, South Carolina, Kansas, and Alabama.
Childcare for preschoolersCosts for daycare for preschool-age children are generally lower, averaging $6,423 a year ($535 a month). Depending on where you live, you'll pay anywhere from $3,794 to $10,920 a year ($316 to $910 a month).
The most expensive states for preschool-age care in a childcare center, with costs over $8,000 a year ($667 a month), beginning with the most expensive, are Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, Connecticut, Washington, and New Jersey.
The least expensive states for preschool-age care in a childcare center, with costs of less than $5,000 a year ($417 a month), beginning with the least expensive, are Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Idaho, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
To find out more about daycare options and costs in your area, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. More than 850 CCR&R agencies throughout the country provide families with information about local childcare options and resources.
