Daycare Cost Calculator
Estimate monthly and annual daycare costs based on hours, days, and hourly or weekly rate.
Plan your childcare budget.
Estimated Daycare Cost
Daycare costs vary widely by location, type of care, and child"s age. This calculator helps you estimate your monthly and annual childcare budget.
Formula:
Weekly Cost = Hours per Day × Days per Week × Hourly Rate
Monthly Cost = Weekly Cost × 4.33 (average weeks per month)
Annual Cost = Weekly Cost × 52
Average US daycare costs (2024–2025):
| Type | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Infant center-based | $12,000–$25,000 | $1,000–$2,100 |
| Toddler center-based | $10,000–$20,000 | $830–$1,670 |
| Preschool (3–5) | $8,000–$16,000 | $670–$1,330 |
| Home daycare | $7,000–$14,000 | $580–$1,170 |
| Nanny (full-time) | $30,000–$60,000 | $2,500–$5,000 |
Cost-saving tips:
- Ask about sibling discounts (typically 5–15% off)
- Check if your employer offers dependent care FSA (up to $5,000 pre-tax)
- Look into the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Consider part-time schedules to reduce costs
- Some states offer subsidized childcare programs