Daycare Cost in Boston, MA (2026)
Average daycare center prices for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children in the Boston metro area
A full-time daycare center in Boston costs $23,000 per year ($1,917/month) for an infant, making daycare 59% above the U.S. national average. Toddler care drops to $20,500/year and preschool to $17,500/year as staff-to-child ratios improve with age.
Compared to a full-time nanny in Boston ($40,000/year for an infant), daycare saves families approximately $17,000/year — the biggest reason daycare is the most popular childcare option in the metro. Use our calculator with zip code 02101 for a personalized estimate including tax savings.
Boston Daycare Cost by Age (2026)
| Age Group | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost | Weekly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–1) | $23,000 | $1,917 | $442 |
| Toddler (1–3) | $20,500 | $1,708 | $394 |
| Preschool (3–5) | $17,500 | $1,458 | $337 |
| School-Age (5–12) | $12,000 | $1,000 | $231 |
Costs are averages for licensed daycare centers in the Boston metro area, full-time care (5 days/week). Part-time schedules typically cost 60–75% of full-time rates. Sources: Care.com 2024 Cost of Care Survey, DOL National Database of Childcare Prices.
Daycare Center vs. In-Home Daycare in Boston
Licensed in-home daycares (family childcare homes) in Boston are typically cheaper than centers — they have lower overhead, smaller group sizes, and more personalized care, but usually less structured programming.
| Care Type | Infant/yr | Toddler/yr | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $23,000 | $20,500 | $17,500 |
| In-Home Daycare | $17,500 | $15,500 | $13,500 |
| In-home savings | $5,500 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
How Boston Daycare Compares to Other Care Options
Daycare is typically the most affordable regulated childcare option for a single child in Boston:
| Care Type | Annual (Infant) | Monthly | vs. Daycare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $23,000 | $1,917 | — |
| Nanny Share | $23,000 | $1,917 | $0 |
| Au Pair | $22,000 | $1,833 | $-1,000 |
| Full-Time Nanny | $40,000 | $3,333 | +$17,000 |
See our Daycare vs. Nanny guide for a full comparison of cost, flexibility, and quality tradeoffs.
How to Save on Daycare in Boston
- Dependent Care FSA: Contribute up to $5,000 pre-tax per household — typical savings of $1,400–$2,000/year on Boston daycare bills.
- Federal Child & Dependent Care Credit: Claim 20–35% of up to $6,000 in childcare expenses as a direct tax credit.
- Massachusetts subsidy programs: Families below income thresholds may qualify for Massachusetts's state childcare assistance program — see our Massachusetts Subsidies Guide.
- Sibling discounts: Many Boston daycare centers offer 5–15% off tuition for a second child.
- Join waitlists early: Popular Boston daycare centers often have 6–18 month waitlists. Apply during pregnancy to lock in spots and sometimes better rates.
- Consider in-home daycare: Save $5,500/year on infant care with a licensed in-home provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost in Boston?
Full-time daycare in Boston costs $23,000/year ($1,917/month) for infants, $20,500/year for toddlers, $17,500/year for preschoolers, and $12,000/year for school-age before/after care. Daycare here is 59% above the national average.
How much is infant daycare per month in Boston?
Infant daycare in Boston averages $1,917/month or $442/week. Infant care is the most expensive age group because state licensing requires more staff per child (typically 1:3 or 1:4 infant-to-caregiver ratios).
Are daycare centers in Boston cheaper than nannies?
Yes. A full-time nanny in Boston costs $40,000/year for an infant, while daycare is $23,000/year — a savings of $17,000/year by choosing daycare over a solo nanny. See nanny costs in Boston for details.
Does Massachusetts offer daycare subsidies?
Yes. Massachusetts runs a childcare assistance program for income-eligible families. Most states set thresholds around 85% of State Median Income or 150–200% of the federal poverty level. See our Massachusetts Subsidies Guide for eligibility and how to apply.
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These are Boston metro averages. Your exact costs depend on your zip code, child's age, and schedule. Our free calculator includes tax savings.
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