Childcare data

Infant childcare costs by state

Name: U.S. State Infant Childcare Costs (2026)
Creator: FirstYearCost
Published: 2026-01-01
License: https://firstyearcost.com/terms
Keywords: infant daycare, childcare cost by state, nanny cost, family daycare

Annual cost ranges for center daycare, family home daycare, and full-time nannies — across all 50 states plus DC. Click any state for the detailed page and a state-specific calculator.

5 most affordable states (center care)

Mississippi$7,000–$10,000
Arkansas$7,400–$10,500
Alabama$7,800–$11,200
West Virginia$8,000–$11,500
Louisiana$8,500–$12,000

5 priciest states (center care)

District of Columbia$24,000–$32,000
Massachusetts$21,000–$28,000
New York$18,500–$26,000
Washington$17,500–$23,500
California$16,800–$24,000

All states

State	Center daycare	Home daycare	Nanny (full-time)
Alabama	$7,800–$11,200	$6,200–$9,000	~$38,000
Alaska	$12,500–$16,500	$9,800–$13,500	~$45,000
Arizona	$11,200–$15,500	$8,900–$12,500	~$42,000
Arkansas	$7,400–$10,500	$6,000–$8,500	~$36,000
California	$16,800–$24,000	$12,500–$18,000	~$58,000
Colorado	$15,500–$21,500	$11,500–$16,500	~$49,000
Connecticut	$16,500–$22,500	$12,200–$16,800	~$52,000
Delaware	$12,500–$16,800	$9,800–$13,500	~$44,000
District of Columbia	$24,000–$32,000	$17,500–$23,500	~$60,000
Florida	$11,000–$15,500	$8,800–$12,500	~$42,000
Georgia	$10,500–$14,800	$8,400–$11,800	~$41,000
Hawaii	$16,800–$22,000	$12,500–$17,000	~$50,000
Idaho	$9,800–$13,500	$7,800–$10,800	~$39,000
Illinois	$14,500–$19,500	$11,000–$15,000	~$47,000
Indiana	$9,800–$13,800	$7,800–$11,000	~$40,000
Iowa	$10,500–$14,500	$8,200–$11,500	~$40,000
Kansas	$10,800–$14,500	$8,400–$11,500	~$40,000
Kentucky	$8,800–$12,500	$7,000–$9,800	~$38,000
Louisiana	$8,500–$12,000	$6,800–$9,500	~$38,000
Maine	$12,500–$16,800	$9,800–$13,500	~$44,000
Maryland	$15,500–$21,000	$11,500–$16,000	~$50,000
Massachusetts	$21,000–$28,000	$15,500–$21,000	~$58,000
Michigan	$11,500–$15,800	$9,000–$12,500	~$42,000
Minnesota	$16,500–$22,000	$12,500–$17,000	~$49,000
Mississippi	$7,000–$10,000	$5,800–$8,200	~$35,000
Missouri	$10,000–$14,000	$8,000–$11,200	~$39,000
Montana	$10,500–$14,500	$8,200–$11,500	~$39,000
Nebraska	$11,500–$15,500	$9,000–$12,500	~$41,000
Nevada	$12,500–$16,500	$9,800–$13,500	~$42,000
New Hampshire	$14,500–$19,500	$11,000–$15,000	~$47,000
New Jersey	$16,800–$22,500	$12,500–$17,000	~$52,000
New Mexico	$9,800–$13,500	$7,800–$10,800	~$38,000
New York	$18,500–$26,000	$13,500–$19,500	~$60,000
North Carolina	$11,500–$15,800	$9,000–$12,500	~$42,000
North Dakota	$11,000–$15,000	$8,500–$12,000	~$40,000
Ohio	$11,000–$15,000	$8,500–$12,000	~$41,000
Oklahoma	$9,000–$12,500	$7,200–$10,000	~$38,000
Oregon	$15,500–$20,500	$11,500–$16,000	~$47,000
Pennsylvania	$13,500–$18,500	$10,500–$14,500	~$45,000
Rhode Island	$14,800–$19,800	$11,200–$15,500	~$46,000
South Carolina	$9,000–$12,800	$7,200–$10,200	~$38,000
South Dakota	$9,500–$13,000	$7,500–$10,500	~$38,000
Tennessee	$9,500–$13,500	$7,600–$10,800	~$39,000
Texas	$11,000–$15,500	$8,800–$12,500	~$42,000
Utah	$10,500–$14,800	$8,400–$11,800	~$41,000
Vermont	$14,500–$19,500	$11,000–$15,000	~$46,000
Virginia	$13,500–$18,500	$10,500–$14,500	~$46,000
Washington	$17,500–$23,500	$13,000–$18,000	~$52,000
West Virginia	$8,000–$11,500	$6,500–$9,000	~$36,000
Wisconsin	$12,500–$16,800	$9,800–$13,500	~$43,000
Wyoming	$10,000–$14,000	$8,000–$11,000	~$39,000

Source: Child Care Aware of America methodology and state market rate surveys. Last reviewed 2026-04-30. Local prices vary within each state.