Weekly estimate
$309
Based on 40 hours per week.
Free Tool
Free Daycare Cost Calculator
A daycare cost calculator estimates how much parents can expect to pay for childcare based on their state, child's age group, and whether they choose center-based or home-based daycare. It helps families budget accurately using regional cost data rather than guessing at national averages.
Compare center-based and home-based daycare prices across all 50 states with weekly, monthly, and annual cost projections for every age group.
- Infant
- Toddler
- Preschool
- School-age
- All 50 states + DC
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How to use the calculator
Get a daycare cost estimate in under a minute using regional pricing data.
Step 1
Select your state
Choose your state to see region-specific daycare pricing. Costs vary significantly by location.
Step 2
Pick age group and care type
Select your child's age group (infant, toddler, preschool, or school-age) and whether you prefer center-based or home-based daycare.
Step 3
Review your cost estimate
Compare weekly, monthly, and annual cost projections. Use the comparison view to see how center and home daycare prices differ.
Calculate your daycare costs
Select your state, age group, and care type to see estimated daycare costs. Adjust weekly hours if your child attends part-time.
Estimated costs
Center-based daycare for infants in National average
Estimated costs for infant (0-12 months) in center-based daycare at 40 hours per week.
Monthly estimate
$1,341
Annual cost divided by 12 months.
Annual estimate
$16,089
Full-year projection at current schedule.
Effective hourly rate
$8
Per hour of care at 40 hrs/week.
Center vs home comparison
For infants in National average, home-based daycare saves an estimated $4,233 per year (26% less) compared to center-based care.
Center-based
$16,089/year
$1,341/month
Home-based
$11,856/year
$988/month
All age groups in National average
Annual center-based daycare costs across every age group.
Infant0-12 months
Full-time care with low caregiver-to-child ratios.
$16,089/year
$1,341/month
Toddler1-2 years
Active supervision with developmental milestones support.
$13,747/year
$1,146/month
Preschool3-4 years
Pre-K learning, socialization, and school readiness.
$11,480/year
$957/month
School-age5-12 years
Before/after school care and full-day summer coverage.
$9,540/year
$795/month
Planning notes
- Infant care is the most expensive age group due to stricter caregiver-to-child ratio requirements.
- Home-based daycare is typically 20-30% less expensive than center-based care for the same age group.
- Actual costs may vary based on provider, neighborhood, program quality, and schedule flexibility. Use these estimates as a budgeting baseline.
- Consider dependent care FSAs and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to offset costs.
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Use the childcare cost estimator to compare daycare, nanny, and babysitter costs side by side. Or try the babysitter rate calculator and nanny interview questions generator to prepare for hiring.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about daycare costs and budgeting for childcare.
How much does daycare cost on average in the US?
The national average cost of center-based daycare for an infant is about $16,089 per year, or roughly $1,341 per month. Toddler care averages around $13,747 annually, preschool about $11,480, and school-age care around $9,540. Home-based daycare is typically 20-30% less expensive than center-based care for the same age group.
Is center-based daycare more expensive than home-based daycare?
Yes, center-based daycare is generally more expensive than home-based (family) daycare. Centers have higher overhead costs including commercial rent, more staff, and stricter licensing requirements. Home-based daycare providers operate in their own homes with smaller groups, which keeps costs lower. The trade-off is that centers often offer more structured curricula and longer operating hours.
Why does infant daycare cost more than care for older children?
Infant care is the most expensive age group because state licensing requirements mandate lower caregiver-to-child ratios, typically 1:3 or 1:4 for infants compared to 1:10 or higher for preschoolers. Infants also need more hands-on care including feeding, diapering, and nap schedules, which requires more staff time per child.
Which states have the most expensive daycare?
The District of Columbia, Massachusetts, California, Washington, Minnesota, and Colorado consistently rank among the most expensive areas for daycare. In Washington D.C., center-based infant care can exceed $25,000 per year. States in the Southeast and Midwest, such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, tend to have the lowest daycare costs.
How can I reduce daycare costs?
Parents can reduce daycare costs by exploring dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which allow pre-tax contributions up to $5,000 per year. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit can offset up to $3,000-$6,000 in expenses. Other strategies include choosing home-based daycare, negotiating sibling discounts, looking into employer-sponsored childcare benefits, and exploring state subsidy programs for qualifying families.
Want to go back to the main Sitter Rank product? Return to the homepage. Or explore more free childcare tools, including the babysitter interview question generator and age-appropriate activities finder.