Daycare costs across the U.S.: what moms are paying

How much does daycare really cost? Moms across the U.S. share the shocking range

Credit: Canva/Motherly

If you’ve ever wondered how much daycare might set you back, you’re not alone.

By Ruman Baig Updated Sep. 12, 2025

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If you’ve ever wondered how much daycare might set you back, you’re not alone. We asked our Motherly community on Instagram to share what they pay for daycare, and the responses were as eye-opening as they were varied. From small towns to big cities, one thing became clear: the cost of childcare can vary wildly, and every family’s experience is different.

Daycare costs: From hundreds to thousands per month

Some parents reported paying what might feel like a manageable fee:

“1 kid, 2 days/week – $515/month” — alittlezest
“Philly, PA – 1 child in PreK – $550/month” — juliaohreally
“NJ – 1 kid – $1400” — katelyn.ferrara
“CA – 1 kid – $780/month (3 days/week)” — krista.sinclair

Meanwhile, in larger cities and for families with multiple children, the numbers can be staggering:

“MA – 3 kids – $9k/month” — michaelamorourke
“CA – 2 kids – $6700/month” — rome2paris
“CA – 2 kids – $5400/month” — dessertface
“NY Brooklyn – 2 kids – $5400/month” — jgipp

Even within the same state, costs can vary significantly depending on location, age of the child, and full-time vs. part-time schedules:

“CA (Bay Area) 1 kid – $1700” — queenyn
“CA – 1 kid – $2350 (toddler)” — sedorable
“CA – 1 kid – $1400/month (3 full days/week)” — lovely_wakefield

The financial burden of childcare

For many families, childcare costs represent a significant portion of their income. The federal government considers childcare affordable if it costs no more than 7% of a family’s annual income. However, data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that in many counties, the cost of center-based toddler care exceeds this threshold. In 2018, the average annual cost for center-based toddler care was $7,454, which, when adjusted for inflation, equates to approximately $9,206 in 2024 dollars.

This financial strain often forces families to make difficult choices, such as reducing work hours, relying on informal care arrangements, or even leaving the workforce altogether. A report from the Economic Policy Institute highlights that in some areas, childcare costs have surpassed annual rent payments, further exacerbating the financial challenges faced by working parents, according to Stateline

Stateline also reports that in some regions, the cost of childcare now rivals or even exceeds annual rent payments—underscoring just how unsustainable the burden has become for many families.

Community experiences: A snapshot

The experiences shared by our Motherly community underscore the diverse realities of childcare costs:

“3 kids – OR – $4500/month” — rachellitz
“East Tennessee – 2 kids – $2510 (CA was 2x for one kid)” — meganmartha
“PA – 1 kid – 1004” — sarah.m.landers
“CA – 1 kid – $1700” — queenyn

These firsthand accounts illustrate the wide range of expenses parents encounter, often influenced by factors such as the number of children, location, and the type of childcare arrangement.

Looking ahead: Making childcare work for families

Daycare costs remain one of the biggest financial pressures for parents. The stories shared by our Motherly community make it clear: families need relief.

Several policy debates are underway. Lawmakers have proposed expanding child care tax credits, while some states are investing in universal pre-K programs to ease costs for 3- and 4-year-olds. At the federal level, updates to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) would cap family contributions at 7% of income—making expenses more predictable and equitable.

Childcare isn’t just a family issue; it’s an economic one. Expanding financial relief, public options, and employer-supported benefits could help close the gap between what parents can pay and what quality care costs.

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