Average Cost of Daycare (2026)
Infant daycare averages about $17,260/year — $1,438/month or $332/week — but the average where you live may be very different.
What Is the Average Cost of Daycare?
Nationally, full-time infant daycare at a licensed center averages about $17,260/year, which works out to about $1,438/month or $332/week, according to Care.com's 2026 Cost of Care Report. Across the 44 major metros we track the average is higher — about $18,660/year — because big-city centers charge more.
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) | $17,260 | $1,438 | $332 |
| Toddler (1–3) | $16,020 | $1,335 | $308 |
| Preschool (3–5) | $14,090 | $1,174 | $271 |
| 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 2026 Cost of Care Report (infant and toddler; preschool scaled from the toddler rate); school-age from the U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices and EPI. See our methodology.
Average Daycare Cost by State (Infant)
Statewide averages (across the metros we track in each state) for full-time infant daycare, highest to lowest. Click a state for metro detail and subsidy programs:
| State | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $27,980 | $2,332 | $538 |
| Massachusetts | $27,380 | $2,282 | $527 |
| Washington | $25,600 | $2,133 | $492 |
| California | $24,884 | $2,074 | $479 |
| New York | $22,620 | $1,885 | $435 |
| Illinois | $21,430 | $1,786 | $412 |
| Colorado | $21,430 | $1,786 | $412 |
| Minnesota | $20,840 | $1,737 | $401 |
| Oregon | $20,240 | $1,687 | $389 |
| Maryland | $20,240 | $1,687 | $389 |
| Connecticut | $20,240 | $1,687 | $389 |
| Pennsylvania | $18,160 | $1,513 | $349 |
| Georgia | $17,260 | $1,438 | $332 |
| Florida | $16,867 | $1,406 | $324 |
| Wisconsin | $16,670 | $1,389 | $321 |
| North Carolina | $16,075 | $1,340 | $309 |
| Texas | $16,073 | $1,339 | $309 |
| Utah | $16,070 | $1,339 | $309 |
| Ohio | $15,673 | $1,306 | $301 |
| Michigan | $15,480 | $1,290 | $298 |
| Arizona | $15,480 | $1,290 | $298 |
| Indiana | $15,480 | $1,290 | $298 |
| Virginia | $15,480 | $1,290 | $298 |
| Kentucky | $15,480 | $1,290 | $298 |
| Missouri | $15,180 | $1,265 | $292 |
| Nevada | $14,880 | $1,240 | $286 |
| Oklahoma | $14,880 | $1,240 | $286 |
| Tennessee | $13,990 | $1,166 | $269 |
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 about 20% less than centers — about $13,690 vs. $17,260 a year for an infant nationally, and $9,520–$23,220 across the 44 metros we track — 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 $7,500 pre-tax in a Dependent Care FSA.
- Claim the Child & Dependent Care Credit (20–50% of up to $3,000 in costs for one child or $6,000 for two or more in 2026).
- 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 $1,438/month nationally ($17,260/year, Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report), though it ranges from about $990/month in Memphis to about $2,580/month in the San Francisco Bay Area. Toddler and preschool care cost less per month.
How much is daycare per week?
Infant daycare averages about $332/week for full-time care (Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report) and runs about $229–$595/week across the 44 metros we track, 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 $17,260/year for an infant versus about $46,300/year for a full-time nanny (Care.com 2026 rates). For two or more children, a nanny or nanny share becomes more competitive because one caregiver covers all your kids.
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