Childcare Cost Calculators for 11 US Cities
Childcare is one of the largest family costs in every city, and free pre-K programs change the math by age.
Infant care costs the most everywhere because of staffing ratios. The biggest local differences are prices and public programs: New York City's 3-K and Pre-K for All, DC's universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds, California's universal transitional kindergarten, Georgia's lottery-funded Pre-K and Florida's VPK all lower costs once children reach eligible ages.
How childcare cost calculators compare across the 11 cities
| City | Infant center care per year (est.) | What is different there |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $30,000 | Full-time infant care in New York City is among the most expensive in the country. |
| San Francisco | $33,000 | Full-time childcare in San Francisco costs about as much as in-state college tuition. |
| Los Angeles | $25,000 | Childcare prices in Los Angeles vary sharply between neighborhoods. |
| Houston | $14,000 | Childcare in Houston costs far less than in coastal cities, but it is still one of the largest family expenses. |
| Dallas | $15,000 | Childcare costs in Dallas are moderate by big-city standards. |
| Chicago | $24,000 | Full-time infant care in Chicago is expensive, while Chicago Public Schools offers free full-day pre-K for many four-year-olds. |
| Miami | $16,000 | Florida's free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program covers four-year-olds for part of the day, and the School Readiness program helps eligible families with childcare costs through the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe. |
| Atlanta | $15,500 | Georgia's lottery-funded Pre-K program offers free pre-kindergarten to four-year-olds, and the CAPS program helps eligible families pay for childcare. |
| Boston | $30,000 | Massachusetts has some of the highest childcare costs in the US. |
| Seattle | $28,000 | Seattle childcare is among the most expensive in the country. |
| Washington DC | $28,000 | DC has high childcare costs for infants and toddlers, but it offers free universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds, one of the most extensive programs in the country, and a child care subsidy program for eligible families. |
Rate and Reason starting estimates for full-time care.
Tax help
From 2026 the dependent care FSA limit is $7,500 per household, and each calculator estimates the saving at your marginal tax rate. Families in higher-tax cities save more per FSA dollar.
Subsidies
Each state runs a subsidy program for eligible families; each city page links to the state agency.
Choose your city
San Francisco Childcare Cost Calculator
Los Angeles Childcare Cost Calculator
Houston Childcare Cost Calculator
Dallas Childcare Cost Calculator
Chicago Childcare Cost Calculator
Miami Childcare Cost Calculator
Atlanta Childcare Cost Calculator
Boston Childcare Cost Calculator
Seattle Childcare Cost Calculator
DC Childcare Cost Calculator
Frequently asked questions
Where is childcare most expensive?
Among these, San Francisco, New York City, Boston and Seattle.
What is the 2026 FSA limit?
$7,500 per household.
Which cities have universal pre-K?
DC and New York City have large free programs; others offer pre-K for eligible four-year-olds.