How much does full-time daycare cost in the US?

National averages range from $1,050/mo (preschool) to $1,380/mo (infant), totaling $12,600–$16,560/yr. Home daycares average ~$800/mo. High-cost cities like NYC or SF can run $2,000–$3,000/mo for infants.

Is a nanny cheaper than daycare for multiple children?

For two or more children, a nanny often becomes cost-competitive with daycare since the cost covers all children. With two kids in daycare you may pay $2,460/mo vs $2,500/mo for a nanny. For three+ children, a nanny is almost always cheaper.

What is a Dependent Care FSA and how much can I save?

A Dependent Care FSA lets you contribute up to $5,000 pre-tax ($2,500 if married filing separately) for childcare. At a 22% bracket, the full contribution saves roughly $1,482 in combined federal income and FICA taxes.

How does childcare cost factor into child support?

Work-related childcare costs are typically added onto base child support in most US states, with each parent contributing proportionally to their income share. Documentation of actual costs is required.

What is an au pair and is it cheaper than a nanny?

An au pair is a live-in caregiver from abroad paid a stipend (~$221/wk). Total annual costs of $17,000–$20,000 make au pairs cheaper than a nanny ($30,000/yr) but comparable to a daycare center for one child.

Daycare Cost Calculator

Compare childcare costs by type and state — centers, home daycare, nannies, and au pairs — with FSA tax savings included.

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Care Type

State

Number of Children

Estimated Childcare Cost — Daycare Center (Toddler)

$1,230/mo

Annual Cost$14,760

Per Child / Mo$1,230

State Adjustment100% of avg

Licensed center, ages 1–3. Costs vary significantly by specific location within each state.

Advanced Calculator

Provider type comparison chart, state cost heatmap, and waitlist cost-of-delay analysis.

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Child's Age Group

State

Number of Children

Monthly Childcare Cost — California

$2,923/mo (center)

Daycare Center$2,923/mo ($35,076/yr)

Home Daycare$2,133/mo ($25,596/yr)

Nanny$5,056/mo ($60,672/yr)

Au Pair$2,765/mo ($33,180/yr)

Relative Care$948/mo ($11,376/yr)

Professional Simulator

Full childcare budget with employer benefits, FSA/CDCC credit optimization, nanny tax calculation, and Schedule H guide.

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Your Childcare Setup

Monthly Childcare Cost

Number of Children

Employer DCAP Benefit/mo

Gross Household Income

Full Childcare Budget Analysis

$1,758/mo after tax benefits

Gross Annual Cost$22,200

Employer Benefit−$0

FSA Tax Savings−$1,100

CDCC Credit−$0

Net Annual Cost$21,100

% of Gross Income22.2%

Experts recommend spending no more than 7–10% of gross income on childcare. At your income, that's $554–$792/mo.

How the Daycare Cost Calculator Works

Childcare is often the largest single expense for families with young children — frequently exceeding the cost of housing in high-cost metro areas. This calculator provides estimates across the four main types of childcare: licensed daycare centers, home daycare providers, private nannies, and au pairs.

Costs are adjusted by state using a cost-of-living index. States like Massachusetts, New York, and California have childcare costs that run 40–55% above the national average, while states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee run 20–25% below average. Urban ZIP codes within any state typically add another 20–40% on top of the state average.

The Annual Budget tab incorporates the Dependent Care FSA benefit, which allows you to set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax ($2,500 if married filing separately) for childcare expenses, generating real tax savings at your marginal rate.

Childcare Cost Breakdown

National Average Monthly Costs (2024): Home Daycare: $800/mo ($9,600/yr) Daycare Center Infant: $1,380/mo ($16,560/yr) Daycare Center Toddler: $1,230/mo ($14,760/yr) Daycare Center Pre-K: $1,050/mo ($12,600/yr) Au Pair: $1,400/mo ($16,800/yr) Full-time Nanny: $2,500/mo ($30,000/yr) Part-time Preschool: $480/mo ($5,760/yr) State-Adjusted Cost = National Average × State Index FSA Tax Savings = $5,000 × Your Marginal Tax Rate

Au pair costs include the weekly stipend (~$200/wk), program/agency fees (~$9,000/yr), room and board, and educational expenses. The nanny estimate reflects a 40-hour work week and does not include employer payroll taxes, which add roughly 10% on top.

Example Calculation

Example: Full-time daycare center, New York, one toddler

National average (toddler center)$1,230/mo

NY state index1.55×

Adjusted monthly cost$1,907/mo

Annual cost$22,880

FSA deduction (22% bracket)−$1,100 tax saved

Effective after-tax annual cost$21,780

Even after the FSA benefit, this family spends over $21,000 per year on childcare — roughly the cost of in-state college tuition. This underscores why childcare planning should begin before a child is born.

Frequently Asked Questions

The national average for full-time daycare center care ranges from $1,050/mo (preschool age) to $1,380/mo (infants). Annual costs typically run $12,600–$16,560 per child. Home daycares are generally cheaper at around $800/mo. These are national averages — in cities like San Francisco, New York, or Boston, costs can be 40–60% higher, with infant care running $2,000–$3,000/mo. The most affordable option is typically a licensed home daycare or part-time preschool program.

For two or more children, a nanny often becomes cost-competitive with daycare. A full-time nanny averaging $2,500/mo covers all your children, whereas daycare charges per child. With two children in a daycare center, you might pay $2,460/mo — comparable to a nanny. With three children, a nanny is almost always cheaper than individual daycare slots. However, a nanny also brings employer responsibilities: you must pay employer payroll taxes (7.65% FICA), potentially provide paid leave, and handle tax withholding. Use our Nanny vs Daycare Calculator for a detailed comparison.

A Dependent Care FSA (Flexible Spending Account) lets you set aside pre-tax dollars through your employer to pay for childcare. The annual limit is $5,000 per household ($2,500 if married filing separately). The tax savings equal the amount contributed multiplied by your marginal tax rate. At a 22% bracket, contributing the full $5,000 saves $1,100 in federal income tax, plus FICA taxes (another $382.50), for a total saving of about $1,482. If your employer offers matching contributions, the savings are even greater. Funds must be used by the plan year deadline.

In virtually all US states, work-related childcare costs are factored into child support calculations as an "add-on" to the base child support amount. Each parent contributes to childcare costs in proportion to their share of combined income. If the custodial parent pays $1,500/mo in daycare and the non-custodial parent earns 60% of combined income, they would owe an additional $900/mo in childcare add-ons beyond base support. Courts generally require documentation of actual childcare costs. Changes in childcare expenses can trigger child support modifications.

An au pair is a young adult (usually 18–26) from another country who lives with your family, provides childcare up to 45 hours/week, and receives a weekly stipend ($221.35/wk as of 2024, set by the State Dept.), room and board, and an education stipend. Total annual costs typically run $17,000–$20,000 including agency fees (~$9,000–$10,000), stipend ($11,500/yr), food, and educational expenses. This makes au pairs cheaper than a nanny ($30,000/yr) but about the same as a daycare center for one child. The main advantages are flexibility and extended hours; the main disadvantages are the cultural adjustment and the live-in arrangement.

Daycare Cost Calculator

How the Daycare Cost Calculator Works

Childcare Cost Breakdown

Example Calculation

Example: Full-time daycare center, New York, one toddler

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators