Daycare Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Daycare is one of the largest recurring costs for families with young children. The price depends on your child's age, the type of program, and where you live. Infants cost more than older children because they need more caregivers per child.

Most centers quote a weekly or monthly rate, while national studies report annual totals. The sections below show all three so you can compare a local quote against a benchmark.

Weekly rates give the clearest view of what a program charges for one child. The figures below come from 2025 data and cover different care types and ages.

An infant in a daycare center is $332/wk, and an infant in a family care center is $323/wk. A toddler costs $308/wk in a center and $301/wk in a family care setting. Families with two toddlers in a center pay $585/wk.

Family care, run from a provider's home, is often a bit cheaper than a center, but the difference is not large in these figures.

Monthly rates are what most families budget around.

The national average for full-time daycare is $1,372/mo. Infant daycare is quoted at $1,560 – $1,800/mo, toddler daycare at $1,360 – $1,600/mo, and preschool-age daycare at $1,120 – $1,360/mo. The price drops as children get older, because older children need fewer adults per group.

The two national estimates differ. Child Care Aware of America reports $13,184/yr a year, while Wonderschool reports $17,836/yr. The difference likely comes from how each defines the average: which ages are counted, whether it covers centers, home-based care, or both, and how the data was collected. Use either as a benchmark, and then compare your local quotes.

• Child's age: Infants cost the most, and preschoolers the least.
• Type of care: Centers and family care homes price differently.
• Location: Prices differ a lot between states and between cities and rural areas. Check your local licensing agency or a child care resource and referral office for local figures.
• Hours: Full-time, part-time, and extended hours are priced differently.
• Number of children: Some programs offer a sibling discount, so ask.
• Program features: Meals, curriculum, and extra activities may or may not be included.
• Fees: Registration, supply, late pickup, and waiting list fees may be billed separately.

Child care takes a big share of a family budget.

According to Child Care Aware of America, child care for two-parent households takes about 10% of median income, while for single-parent households it takes about 33%.

• Check your state's child care assistance program to see whether you qualify for a subsidy.
• Ask your employer about a dependent care account or child care benefit.
• Ask whether a nearby program offers sibling or part-time pricing.
• Compare licensed family care homes with centers.
• Check whether you qualify for a child care tax credit, and consult a tax professional about eligibility rules.

• What is the full weekly or monthly rate, and what fees come on top?
• Do you charge when my child is sick or on vacation?
• What is the child-to-caregiver ratio for my child's age?
• Is the program licensed, and can I see its most recent inspection?
• What meals and supplies are included?
• How much notice is required to leave, and how often do rates increase?

Ask for a written fee schedule, and compare programs on the total monthly cost, not the headline rate alone.