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DateModified, vs. United States,

Childcare Compare
Childcare
in United States,
than in DateModified,

About our data
BestPlaces data for childcare expenses includes the annual cost of childcare for both in-home care and at larger childcare centers. The average childcare cost includes costs for both center-based childcare facilities and in-home care for infants and toddlers (1-4 years old).

   Childcare cost
nameDateModified, DTUnited States, US
Child care20,190,920.0100.0
100 = US Avg. Below 100 means cheaper. Above 100 means more expensive. About our Cost of Living Index
   Childcare types
      Childcare costs by type of care
nameDateModified, DTUnited States, US
Child care average$20,190,920$9,500
Infant at a Center$20,190,920$11,592
Infant at Home$20,190,920$9,008
Toddler at a Center$20,190,920$9,067
Toddler at Home$20,190,920$8,343

Understanding childcare costs

Childcare centers / daycares
Infant as a childcare center

than Toddler care

Childcare centers are usually associated with:
  • Larger facilities, with many children (from 20-100 or more)
  • Separate areas for different age groups
  • Larger staff, often with some professionals and certified caregivers
  • Professional administrators
Childcare centers are likely to have these benefits:
  • Caregivers with professional or specialized training
  • More children and teachers for your child to socialize and bond with
  • A more structured environment and a professional infrastructure
  • More teachers, which means substitutes are readily available
  • Supervision of caregivers by managers
In-home childcare centers

than Toddler care

In-home childcare providers often have:
  • Smaller facilities, such as a home or church
  • Few children, often 3-10
  • Mixed ages
  • Fewer caregivers, usually 1-4
In-home childcare usually has these advantages:
  • Less expensive
  • Mixed age groups for diverse interactions
  • Lower risk for communicative illnesses (fewer children)
  • More home-like, less institutional
  • Fewer children per teacher
Our BestPlaces childcare statistics are based on our research of childcare providers across the United States and reports published by Child Care Aware of America. Care.com and the Economic Policy Institute. For some counties, childcare expenses were not directly available. Using the available data at the national, state and county level, we used linear regression to identify the most significant predictor variables and create equations to provide values for the missing data.

Saving money on childcare

IRS childcare credit
You may be eligible to claim a tax credit for expenses related to child care and dependent care. If you paid a care provider (such as a daycare center, babysitter, or summer camp), to care for a child under age 12 or younger (or a disabled dependent of any age), you may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of qualifying expenses of $3,000 for one child, or up to $6,000 for two or more children or dependents.

Learn more with IRS publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.

Miscellaneous Expenses