Childcare Cost Calculator

A full-time daycare center averages $1,438/month for an infant nationally (Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report: $332/week), $1,335 for a toddler and about $1,174 for a preschooler; school-age before/after care averages about $667/month. Across the 44 metros we track, infant care runs from $993/month in Memphis to $2,580/month in the San Francisco Bay Area. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest costs, while the Northeast and West Coast are the most expensive. Enter your zip code above for region-specific estimates.

For one child, daycare centers are typically 45–70% less expensive than hiring a full-time nanny. For example, in the New York City metro area, a daycare center for an infant averages ~$29,170/year while a full-time nanny averages ~$53,000/year (before employer taxes, at Care.com's October 2026 local rate of $25.48/hour). However, for families with 2 or more children, a nanny share — splitting one nanny between two families — can be cost-competitive with daycare while offering more personalized care. Our calculator compares all five options side-by-side for your specific situation.

Families can save $2,000–$6,000+ annually by combining multiple tax benefits:

• Dependent Care FSA — Contribute up to $7,500 pre-tax (2026), saving on federal income tax, state tax, and FICA (7.65%). At a 22% federal bracket, a full contribution saves about $2,224.
• Child & Dependent Care Credit — A non-refundable federal credit of 20–50% (2026) on up to $3,000 of expenses (one child) or $6,000 (two+ children), reduced by any Dependent Care FSA dollars.
• State-specific benefits — Many states offer additional credits or deductions, such as New York's Child & Dependent Care Credit (up to 110% of the federal credit).

Note: You cannot double-count the same expenses for both the FSA and the federal credit. Our calculator optimizes the split automatically.

A nanny share is when two families hire one nanny to care for their children together, typically in one family's home on a rotating basis. Each family typically pays about two-thirds of a solo nanny's rate (Care.com), saving about a third per family compared to hiring a nanny individually. Children also benefit from socialization with peers while receiving more individual attention than in a daycare center. Nanny shares work best when both families have similar schedules and parenting styles.

An au pair costs approximately $22,000 per year through a U.S. State Department-regulated J-1 visa program. This covers agency placement fees, the au pair's weekly stipend ($195.75/week minimum), and room and board. The key advantage: this is a flat cost regardless of how many children you have, making it the most affordable per-child option for families with 2+ kids. Au pairs provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare and up to 10 hours per day.

The most widely used benchmark for affordable childcare is 7% of household income, a figure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services set in 2016 for subsidized care (HHS withdrew its 7% cap in July 2026, but 7% remains the standard yardstick). In reality, many American families spend 10–30% of their income on childcare, with infant care in high-cost cities consuming over 20% of median household income. Our calculator includes an affordability analysis showing how each care option compares to the 7% HHS benchmark based on your specific household income.

Full-time preschool (ages 3–5) averages about $1,174 per month nationally in 2026 ($854–$2,082 across the 44 metros we track), about 18% less than infant care. Many areas also offer free or subsidized pre-K programs through public school districts starting at age 4. Part-time programs (2–3 days/week) typically run $350–$800/month. See our preschool cost guide for city-by-city data, or enter your zip code above for local estimates.

Care.com's average starting rate for nannies was $22.26 per hour nationally in October 2026, ranging from $18.63 in Oklahoma City to $31.44 in San Francisco across the 44 metros we track; experience and the number of children push rates higher. In high-cost metros like San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Los Angeles, rates average $27.82–$31.44/hour. Full-time nanny employment (40 hrs/week) totals about $38,750–$65,400/year before employer payroll taxes. Don't forget the nanny tax — employers owe Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and often state unemployment taxes on top of the nanny's gross wages. See our nanny cost guide for hourly and annual rates by city.

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal program administered through state governments that provides childcare subsidies to low- and moderate-income working families. Eligibility typically requires parents to be working, in school, or in a job training program. Income limits vary by state but commonly cover families earning up to 85% of state median income. Each state sets its own copay structure — many families pay $5–$200/month depending on income. Use our state subsidy guide to find CCDF programs in your state.

Yes — childcare costs decrease as children age. Infant care (0–12 months) is the most expensive, about 22% more than preschool-age care at a daycare center. Here's the typical cost progression (national daycare center averages, 2026):

• Infant (0–12 months): $1,438/month — highest cost due to low staff-to-child ratios
• Toddler (1–3 years): $1,335/month — about 7% less than infant care (Care.com: $308 vs. $332 a week)
• Preschool (3–5 years): $1,174/month — about 18% less than infant care
• School-age before/after care (5–12 years): $667/month — less than half the cost of infant care

Planning for these transitions can help families anticipate when relief is coming. See our infant care cost guide and preschool cost guide for detailed breakdowns.

Most licensed daycare centers accept infants as young as 6 weeks old, which aligns with the typical end of maternity leave under FMLA. Some centers accept babies from 4 weeks; others require 8–12 weeks. State licensing laws set the floor, but individual centers may set stricter minimums — always call ahead to confirm. Infant care is the most expensive age group in any care setting because state regulations require low staff-to-baby ratios (typically 1:3 or 1:4). See our complete guide on starting daycare as a baby, including how to prepare your infant and what to look for in an infant room.

Childcare costs after divorce are typically addressed in the parenting plan or divorce decree. Common approaches include:

• Proportional split: Each parent pays a share based on their gross income (e.g., 60/40 if incomes differ)
• Even 50/50: Each parent pays half of all childcare invoices
• Rolled into child support: Childcare costs factor into the child support calculation

For tax benefits: only the parent who claims the child as a dependent for that tax year can claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Only the custodial parent (the child's primary residence) can typically use a Dependent Care FSA. See our guide to childcare for divorced parents for full details on credits, DCFSA rules, and parenting plan language.

Most daycare centers charge monthly flat rates, not hourly — you pay for a reserved spot whether or not your child attends. The effective hourly rate (annual tuition ÷ hours attended, at 40 hours a week) averages about $8.30/hour nationally for full-time infant care, rising to $13.20–$14.90/hour in high-cost metros like Boston, New York City, and San Francisco. Drop-in daycare (true hourly care where you pay only for time used) costs $15–$25/hour at centers that offer it. For context, Care.com's average nanny rate is $22.26/hour ($18.63–$31.44 across our metros), making center-based daycare significantly cheaper per hour for a single child. See our daycare cost per hour guide for a full breakdown by city and care type.

Yes — several programs provide free childcare assistance you don't repay:

• Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF): Federal block grants fund state subsidy voucher programs for working families earning below 85% of state median income. Families typically pay $5–$200/month in copayments while the state covers the rest.
• Head Start / Early Head Start: Completely free comprehensive care for children 0–5 from families at or below the federal poverty line.
• Employer childcare stipends: Many employers offer $50–$500/month in direct childcare assistance, available regardless of your income.
• YMCA Open Doors: Sliding-scale financial assistance for YMCA programs, available across a wide income range.

See our childcare grants guide for a full list of programs and how to apply.

Most daycare centers offer a 5–15% sibling discount for a second child enrolled at the same facility — but you often need to ask. The discount is typically applied to the lower-cost child's tuition (usually the older child, since infant care costs more). In-home (family) daycare providers may offer discounts of 10–25%. Always ask explicitly when enrolling a second child, and confirm any agreed discount in your enrollment contract.

For families with two young children, it's also worth comparing alternatives: an au pair (~$22,000/year flat regardless of child count) usually costs less than two daycare spots (about $31,680/year nationally after a 10% sibling discount), while a nanny share (about $2,570/month per family at Care.com's two-thirds rule) is roughly comparable. See our daycare sibling discount guide and childcare for two children guide for detailed comparisons.