The cost of childcare has skyrocketed across the U.S., increasing more than 50% over the last decade. In every state, it costs more than rent, and in most states, it exceeds mortgage payments and college tuition. These staggering costs make it difficult for families—especially single mothers—to save for the future or afford basic necessities. Childcare expenses vary based on location, family structure, the child’s age, and the type of care. Explore our interactive map below to see how childcare costs stack up in your state.
Childcare Costs by Family Structure
Single Parents
For single parents—in our analysis, single mothers—childcare is not just expensive; it takes up a significant portion of their income. With just one paycheck to cover costs, care can quickly become unaffordable.
Let’s consider the cost of center-based infant care – the most expensive type of care.
The least affordable states for single parents:
- Washington, D.C. (56% of median household income; $25,480 annually).
- Massachusetts (54%; $24,005 annually).
- Hawaii (49%; $22,585 annually).
The most affordable states for single parents:
- South Dakota (21%; $7,862 annually).
- Alaska (25%; $11,760 annually).
- Utah (25%; $11,232 annually).
Even in the most affordable states, single parents often still spend at least a quarter of their income on childcare.
Married Parents
Married couples typically spend a lower percentage of their income on childcare, but it remains a significant financial burden.
The least affordable states for married parents (for center-based infant care):
- Hawaii (17% of median household income; $22,585 annually).
- Washington (14%; $20,370 annually).
- California (14%; $19,547 annually).
The most affordable states for married parents:
- South Dakota (7%; $7,862 annually).
- Alabama (8%; $8,771 annually).
- Mississippi (8%; $8,186 annually).
Even for married families, childcare costs in every state exceed the federal affordability benchmark of 7% of family income—a threshold set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
As childcare costs continue to rise, families are forced to make difficult trade-offs—whether that means cutting expenses elsewhere, leaving the workforce, or having to settle for lower-quality, more unstable childcare arrangements.
What’s Driving Childcare Costs So High?
Several factors contribute to the significant and rising cost of childcare, including:
Staff wages: Teacher pay and benefits account for 60 to 80 percent of an early childhood program’s total expenses. Although childcare teachers are among the lowest-paid professionals – with 40% of teachers relying on federal assistance at some point during their career – the labor-intensive nature of the job results in high operating costs. Low wages make it difficult for programs to recruit and retain highly skilled teachers, leading to high turnover and additional hiring and training costs.
Industry regulations: State policies on caregiver-to-child ratios, licensing requirements, and classroom sizes are another significant driver of cost, especially for younger children who require more supervision. These regulations increase labor costs by requiring a greater number of staff with specific qualifications. States with stricter labor laws typically have the highest childcare costs (i.e., Massachusetts and Hawaii mandate a 1:3 caregiver-to-child ratio for infants).
Location: Childcare in densely populated or urban areas is typically more expensive due to higher rent, wages, and operational costs. High demand and limited availability in these areas further drive up prices.
Addressing the Childcare Affordability Crisis: The Role of Public Investment and Policy
The U.S. has the second most expensive childcare system among all OECD countries, largely due to the low amount of government spending on childcare. While the average OECD country spends $14,000 per child annually on early childhood care, the U.S. spends just $500 per child.
Greater public investment in childcare would not only reduce financial strain on families but also generate long-term economic benefits. The Council of Economic Advisors found that for every $1 invested in early childhood education, $8.60 is generated in societal benefits – half of which comes from increased earnings in adulthood.
The primary source of public childcare funding in the U.S. comes from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), but in its current state, only 1 in 6 eligible children receive the subsidy. Expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare is not just about supporting families—it’s an economic issue. Expanding subsidies, increasing public investment, and raising wages for childcare workers are critical steps toward making childcare accessible for all.