DC Has The Most Expensive Infant Child Care in the U.S. 👶

What We're Showing

The average annual price of child care in a licensed care center for infants (0 to 1 years old) by U.S. state in 2023.

Data comes from Child Care Aware of America's analysis of child care affordability.

Child Care in the U.S. Is Becoming Unaffordable

While the nation's capital DC recorded the highest average annual cost for infant child care at $25,585, Hawaii was the most unaffordable state when factoring median incomes. Paying for infant childcare in a licensed center in Hawaii would make up 18% of a married couple's median family income.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that child care should not cost families more than 7% of their annual income.

According to Child Care Aware of America, the national average price of child care in 2023 across all age groups (infants, toddlers, and children over the age of 4) was $11,582. This is about 10% of a typical U.S. married couple's median income, and was an increase of 3.7% from 2022.