Average Cost of Daycare (2026)
Infant daycare averages about $16,114/year — $1,343/month or $310/week — but the average where you live may be very different.
What Is the Average Cost of Daycare?
Across major U.S. metros, full-time infant daycare at a licensed center averages roughly $16,114/year, which works out to about $1,343/month or $310/week. The federal government's most-cited benchmark for infant care is around $14,500/year, and prices have risen with wages and inflation.
Daycare is cheaper than a private nanny but more than in-home family daycare, and costs fall as your child gets older and staffing ratios relax.
Average Daycare Cost by Age
| Age Group | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–1) | $14,500 | $1,208 | $279 |
| Toddler (1–3) | $12,500 | $1,042 | $240 |
| Preschool (3–5) | $11,000 | $917 | $212 |
| School-age (5–12) | $8,000 | $667 | $154 |
National averages for full-time center-based care. Infant care costs the most because state licensing requires the lowest staff-to-child ratios. Sources: Care.com Cost of Care, U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices.
Average Daycare Cost by State (Infant)
Statewide averages for full-time infant daycare, highest to lowest. Click a state for metro detail and subsidy programs:
| State | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $23,500 | $1,958 | $452 |
| Massachusetts | $23,000 | $1,917 | $442 |
| California | $21,700 | $1,808 | $417 |
| Washington | $21,500 | $1,792 | $413 |
| Connecticut | $21,000 | $1,750 | $404 |
| New York | $20,750 | $1,729 | $399 |
| Illinois | $18,000 | $1,500 | $346 |
| Colorado | $18,000 | $1,500 | $346 |
| Minnesota | $17,500 | $1,458 | $337 |
| Oregon | $17,000 | $1,417 | $327 |
| Maryland | $17,000 | $1,417 | $327 |
| Wisconsin | $16,500 | $1,375 | $317 |
| Virginia | $15,500 | $1,292 | $298 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,250 | $1,271 | $293 |
| Georgia | $14,500 | $1,208 | $279 |
| Florida | $14,000 | $1,167 | $269 |
| Texas | $13,750 | $1,146 | $264 |
| North Carolina | $13,500 | $1,125 | $260 |
| Utah | $13,500 | $1,125 | $260 |
| Missouri | $13,250 | $1,104 | $255 |
| Michigan | $13,000 | $1,083 | $250 |
| Arizona | $13,000 | $1,083 | $250 |
| Ohio | $13,000 | $1,083 | $250 |
| Indiana | $13,000 | $1,083 | $250 |
| Kentucky | $13,000 | $1,083 | $250 |
| Tennessee | $12,750 | $1,063 | $245 |
| Nevada | $12,500 | $1,042 | $240 |
| Oklahoma | $12,500 | $1,042 | $240 |
Don't see your state? Browse all cities or use the zip-code calculator.
Daycare Center vs. In-Home Daycare
Licensed in-home (family) daycares typically cost 20–40% less than centers — often $9,000–$18,000/year for an infant versus $12,000–$26,000 at a center — with smaller groups but less structured programming. For one-on-one care, a nanny runs more, while an au pair is a flat ~$22,000/year regardless of the number of children.
Why Daycare Is So Expensive — and How to Pay Less
Daycare is labor-intensive: staff wages are the bulk of tuition, and infant rooms legally need more caregivers per child. You usually can't change the sticker price, but you can lower your net cost:
- Set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax in a Dependent Care FSA.
- Claim the Child & Dependent Care Credit (up to $2,100).
- Apply for state subsidies — eligibility is broader than most families assume.
- Ask about sibling discounts and consider part-time schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of daycare per month in 2026?
Full-time infant daycare averages about $1,343/month nationally ($16,114/year), though it ranges from roughly $1,000/month in lower-cost states to over $2,000/month in expensive metros. Toddler and preschool care cost less per month.
How much is daycare per week?
Infant daycare averages about $310/week for full-time care, with most U.S. families paying between $230 and $450/week depending on location and the child's age.
Why is infant daycare more expensive than toddler or preschool?
State licensing requires more caregivers per infant (often a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio) than for toddlers or preschoolers (1:6 to 1:10). Since staff wages drive tuition, more required staff means higher cost — which is why prices drop as children age into higher-ratio classrooms.
Is daycare cheaper than a nanny?
Yes, for one child. Daycare averages about $16,114/year for an infant versus about $31,432/year for a full-time nanny. For two or more children, a nanny or nanny share becomes more competitive because one caregiver covers all your kids.
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