What is the average cost of child care per month in the US?

• U.S. families who pay for childcare spend an average of $325.39 per week on care in 2023.
• Weekly childcare expenditures are highest in Nevada ($493.46), New Jersey ($442.19), Washington D.C. ($427.90), Hawaii ($413.19) and Washington ($408.67).

Why is childcare in America so expensive?

Staff-to-child ratios

One of the primary reasons why child care is so expensive is that babies and toddlers need the attention of focused and nurturing staff who have adequate time to develop true familiarity with children. This requires low staff: child ratios, ideally 1:4 or fewer.

What state is #1 to raise children?

Massachusetts. “Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family, in large part because it provides a good blend of economic opportunities and safe conditions for children,” says Lupo. A family-friendly state is about much more than housing affordability.

Is a babysitter or daycare cheaper?

“Unless you're looking at an expensive daycare for multiple kids, daycare is almost always more affordable than nanny care,” Brawley explains. “If you have a full-time nanny, their primary source of income will be from you.” “If you can't comfortably afford nanny care, you should go with daycare,” she continues.

How much of your income should go to daycare?

Key findings from the Care.com 2024 Cost of Care Report

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states that child care is considered affordable when it costs families no more than 7% of their household income.

How much should child care cost a week?

$23.93/hour. As of January 2025, the average starting cost of child care providers in Los Angeles, CA is $23.93 per hour. The weekly rate for child care providers in Los Angeles, CA is $957 for working a 40-hour week.

What is the average age of a first time mom in 2024?

The average age of new mothers in the U.S. is 27, according to a 2024 report from the CDC. It's a record high for the U.S. as teen pregnancies drop to record lows, more couples get married older, and women in general focus on their education, careers and financial stability before having children.

What is the most expensive state to raise a child?

Massachusetts Tops the List. Massachusetts has the highest annual costs for raising a child, at $35,841 per year.

How much is daycare in Florida per week?

What is the average cost of daycare per week? The average cost of daycare per week in Florida is $185. What is the average cost of infant daycare per month? The average cost of infant daycare in Florida is $1,000 per month.

Is childcare more expensive than housing?

For a family with two young children, the average annual cost for child care in 2023 was higher than the cost of mortgage payments in 45 states and higher than the cost of rent in every state.

How are people supposed to afford daycare?

Work- and School-Related Programs

Employer-sponsored Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account: Some employers may allow employees to put a portion of each paycheck into a special fund called a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, or “FSA,” to pay for child care services while the employees work.

Why is childcare so expensive in the US?

Among the main reasons childcare is more expensive in the US than in the rest of the developed world is that other countries dedicate a larger share of their government spending to childcare. The US spends roughly 0.4% of its GDP on early education and childcare, compared to 0.8% for the average OECD country.

How much does the average American spend on child care per month?

The average cost of childcare in the USA for infants ranges from $400 to $1,500 per month. This substantial expense is putting a strain on household budgets, forcing parents to make tough decisions about their careers, family planning, and financial future.

What are the drawbacks of daycare?

How much should a babysitter charge a day?

Number of children

If you are watching more than one child, you can expect to be paid more. A good rule of thumb: Add an extra dollar per hour for each additional child. So if you are usually paid $17 per hour for one child and a family has three kids, you could request to make $19 per hour for that job.

Does daycare cost more than college?

Child care can cost more than housing or college

The cost burden of paying for child care can exceed a typical family's annual housing costs, and even cost more than in-state tuition at public universities, other research has found.

Which state has the happiest children?

Connecticut is the best state for raising happy, healthy children. ATLANTA, GA., June 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New research finds that Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (2), and New York (3) have the happiest and healthiest child populations, while Mississippi (50) and South Carolina (49) have the least.

What is the safest state to live in?

What is the best state to live in financially?