How much is daycare per month on average?

It varies enormously by state, age, and program. As an approximate range from 2022-2024 market data, full-time center-based infant care runs from roughly $575-$720 per month in lower-cost states like Alabama to about $1,900 per month in California, with preschool-age (4-year-old) care typically a few hundred dollars per month cheaper than infant care. These are approximate market averages compiled from sources like the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices and Child Care Aware — actual prices depend on your county, the specific program, and whether it is a center or a home. Find your state in the table below and confirm current rates with local providers.

Why is infant daycare more expensive than preschool?

Infant care almost always costs more than care for a 4-year-old because state staffing ratios require many more caregivers per child for babies. A center might be required to keep one adult for every 3-4 infants but one adult for every 10-12 preschoolers, so the labor cost per infant is far higher. That is why nearly every state's infant figure in the table below sits above its preschool figure. The gap is approximate and changes with each state's ratio rules and local wages.

What is the most expensive state for daycare?

By the approximate 2024 market averages compiled here, California and Hawaii are among the most expensive states for center-based infant care — both well over $1,800 per month for an infant. Massachusetts, Washington, and Colorado also rank high. These are approximate averages and the rankings shift year to year and source to source, so treat them as directional, not exact. Always verify current prices with providers in your specific area.

Are these daycare costs exact?

No. Every figure on this page is an approximate market average from 2022-2024, drawn from compilations such as the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, Child Care Aware of America affordability analyses, and individual state market-rate surveys. The underlying databases report county-level or percentile data, not a single authoritative statewide price, and prices change every year. Where we could not confirm a figure against its primary source, we say so plainly rather than guess. Use these numbers for planning and budgeting, then verify the current price with providers and your state's childcare agency.

How do I find the average daycare cost in my state?

Find your state in the table below. Each entry shows an approximate average infant price and preschool price, the year and the source it came from, and a link to that source. For the current price you will actually pay, contact licensed providers near you and check your state's childcare resource and referral agency — local prices vary widely by county and program.

50-State Reference

Average Daycare Cost by State (Infant + Preschool, 2026 Guide)

Name: Approximate Average Daycare Cost by U.S. State (Infant + Preschool)
Creator: TotReady Research Team
License: https://totready.com

Approximate market prices for full-time center-based infant and preschool care, state by state

Last updated: June 2026

Compiled by the TotReady Research Team

If you are asking how much is daycare in my state, the honest answer is: it depends on your state, your county, your child's age, and the specific program. This page collects an approximate average infant price and preschool (4-year-old) price for all 50 states, drawn from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, Child Care Aware of America, and individual state market-rate surveys. Each entry shows the figure with the year and source it came from so you can verify it.

These are approximate market averages, not a price quote. Every figure below is an estimate from roughly 2022-2024 and varies widely by county, program, and provider type (center vs. home). Childcare prices change every year. Verify current prices with providers in your area and your state's childcare resource & referral agency before you budget or set tuition. Where a figure could not be confirmed against its primary source, we say so rather than guess.

Method & sources: Compiled by the TotReady Research Team from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (county-level medians, 2022 vintage), Child Care Aware of America affordability analyses, and individual state market-rate surveys. Wage context for childcare workers comes from the BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OES). These sources report county-level or percentile data rather than a single official statewide price, so the per-state figures here are approximate averages, not authoritative quotes — they imply no precision the underlying sources do not have. Always confirm current prices with local providers and your state childcare agency. TotReady provides information, not financial or legal advice.

Average daycare cost in each state

An approximate infant and preschool average per state, with the year and source. Read the full reference table below, or open a state's page for its complete childcare requirements.

Alabama

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant child care in Alabama averages roughly $6,896-$8,632 per year (about $575-$719/month) per Daycare Cost Guide's compilation of 2022 county-level medians from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices; the source page itself reports both figures, and DOL's database publishes county-level medians rather than a single confirmable statewide average (https://daycarecostguide.com/state/al).

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based preschool (4-year-old) child care in Alabama averages about $8,008 per year (roughly $667/month), slightly below infant care, per Daycare Cost Guide's compilation of 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (https://daycarecostguide.com/state/al).

Alaska

Average infant daycare cost: Full-time infant care in Alaska had a typical market price of about $1,000 per month (roughly $12,000 per year) according to the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office 2023 Market Price Survey Report, as summarized by thread ("the typical rate for infant care is $1000 per month"). (Source: https://www.threadalaska.org/learn-and-grow/blog/alaska-child-care-program-office-releases-2023-market-price-survey-report)

Average preschool daycare cost: Full-time preschool-age care in Alaska had a typical market price of about $850 per month (roughly $10,200 per year) according to the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office 2023 Market Price Survey Report, as summarized by thread ("pre-school care is $850 per month"). (Source: https://www.threadalaska.org/learn-and-grow/blog/alaska-child-care-program-office-releases-2023-market-price-survey-report)

Arizona

Average infant daycare cost: The average price of full-time center-based INFANT child care in Arizona is $15,964 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis," Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf)

Average preschool daycare cost: The average price of full-time center-based care for a 4-YEAR-OLD (preschooler) in Arizona is $11,680 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis," Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf)

Arkansas

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Arkansas was $9,178 (about $765/month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Arkansas was $8,320 (about $693/month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

California

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based INFANT care in California is $22,628 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis" (Table I; California row), confirmed directly against the source PDF. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-YEAR-OLD (preschool-age) in California is $16,665 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis" (Table I; corroborated in Table VII, which ranks California 5th least-affordable at $16,665), confirmed directly against the source PDF. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf

Colorado

Average infant daycare cost: In Colorado the average price of infant care in a child care center is $20,978 per year (about $1,748/month), per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America 2024 Price & Supply data; the U.S. Dept. of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices puts Colorado's median infant center price lower at $238/week (about $12,350/year) from its 2022 data (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Colorado.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: Colorado's Child Care Aware of America 2024 fact sheet does not publish a separate 4-year-old/preschool figure (its nearest center figure is $17,479/year for a toddler, 2024 data), and a specific Colorado preschool/4-year-old center price could not be verified against the cited source, so it is reported here as Could not verify against source (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Colorado.pdf).

Connecticut

Average infant daycare cost: Infant/toddler care at a licensed Connecticut child care center has a statewide 50th-percentile (median) full-time weekly rate of $375 (the statewide average regional rate is lower, at $328/week), which annualizes to roughly $19,500/year, per the 2024 Connecticut Child Care Market Rate Report (University of Connecticut School of Social Work in partnership with the CT Office of Early Childhood; Market Rate Survey data collected September-December 2023). Source: https://www.ctoec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Connecticut-Market-Rate-Survey-and-Methodology-Report-06-26-2024-Final.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Preschool-age (3-5 yr) care at a licensed Connecticut child care center has a statewide 50th-percentile (median) full-time weekly rate of $280 (the statewide average regional rate is lower, at $231/week), about $14,560/year annualized, per the 2024 Connecticut Child Care Market Rate Report (UConn School of Social Work / CT Office of Early Childhood, Market Rate Survey data collected September-December 2023). Source: https://www.ctoec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Connecticut-Market-Rate-Survey-and-Methodology-Report-06-26-2024-Final.pdf

Delaware

Average infant daycare cost: Delaware's 2024 Local Child Care Market Rate Survey reports the 75th-percentile full-time daily price for center-based infant care at $75.00/day in New Castle County and $62.38/day in Kent and Sussex counties (combined); at roughly 21.7 working days/month, the New Castle figure equates to about $1,625/month (Source: 2024 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey, Final Report for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services, submitted May 22, 2024 — https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/dss/pdf/2024DelawareChildCareMarketRateSurvey.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: Delaware's 2024 Local Child Care Market Rate Survey reports the 75th-percentile full-time daily price for center-based preschool-age care at $60.40/day in New Castle County and $50.00/day in Kent and Sussex counties (combined); at roughly 21.7 working days/month, the New Castle figure equates to about $1,311/month (Source: 2024 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey, Final Report for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services, submitted May 22, 2024 — https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/dss/pdf/2024DelawareChildCareMarketRateSurvey.pdf).

Florida

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant care in Florida averaged $11,440 per year (about $953/month) in 2022, per Child Care Aware of America's Florida 2022 Price Fact Sheet (Catalyzing Growth: Using Data to Change Child Care report series) (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Florida%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The specific dollar figure for center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Florida could not be verified against the cited primary source: Child Care Aware of America's Florida 2022 Price Fact Sheet lists infant ($11,440), toddler center-based ($9,880), and family-child-care figures but does NOT report a 4-year-old/preschool price, and the ~$9,000/year figure traces only to a third-party calculator (daycarecalc.com) rather than a government or CCAoA primary source; note Florida separately offers a free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program for 4-year-olds (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Florida%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Georgia

Average infant daycare cost: Could not verify against source: the draft figure of $6,591/year for center-based infant care in Georgia is attributed to the U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, but the NDCP publishes county-level (not statewide-average) prices, and DOL/NDCP-derived data contradict it (e.g., Fulton County center-based infant care was estimated at $10,600 and the lowest-cost example, Clarke County, at $7,572 in 2022 dollars); the $6,591 figure traces only to the commercial aggregator plainchildcare.com (which labels it 2023), not to any DOL primary source.

Average preschool daycare cost: Could not verify against source: the draft figure of $6,034/year for center-based preschool (3-to-5-year-old) care in Georgia is attributed to the U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, but the NDCP publishes county-level (not statewide-average) prices, and DOL/NDCP-derived data contradict it (e.g., Fulton County center-based preschool care was estimated at $9,389 and Clarke County at $6,966 in 2022 dollars); the $6,034 figure traces only to the commercial aggregator plainchildcare.com (which labels it 2023), not to any DOL primary source.

Hawaii

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual cost of full-time center-based infant care in Hawaii was $24,115 in 2024 (about $2,010/month), per the State of Hawaii Data Book 2024, Table 14.14 ("Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Child Care, by Provider, by State"), which draws on Child Care Aware of America survey data collected January 2025 (https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/economic/databook/2024-individual/14/141424.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual cost of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in Hawaii was $13,992 in 2024 (about $1,166/month), per the State of Hawaii Data Book 2024, Table 14.14 ("Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Child Care, by Provider, by State"), which draws on Child Care Aware of America survey data collected January 2025 (https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/economic/databook/2024-individual/14/141424.pdf).

Idaho

Average infant daycare cost: Idaho's statewide median full-time infant (0-23 months) child care rate was $700.00 per month (mean $770.59) based on 873 providers, per Table 2 of the 2024 Idaho Child Care Market Rate Analysis prepared by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (dated August 6, 2024) — https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/0/edoc/30760/Idaho%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Report%202024.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Idaho's statewide median full-time preschool-age (36-59 months) child care rate was $675.00 per month (mean $701.39) based on 1,012 providers, per Table 2 of the 2024 Idaho Child Care Market Rate Analysis prepared by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (dated August 6, 2024) — https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/0/edoc/30760/Idaho%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Report%202024.pdf

Illinois

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant childcare in Illinois averages about $12,257 per year, based on 2022 county-weighted data from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (https://plainchildcare.com/state/illinois citing https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based preschool-age childcare in Illinois averages about $9,481 per year, based on 2022 county-weighted data from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (https://plainchildcare.com/state/illinois citing https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Indiana

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant child care in Indiana averages $16,478 per year (about $1,373/month), per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply analysis (Indiana price fact sheet) (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Indiana.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Indiana averages $12,531 per year (about $1,044/month), per Table I of Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (the one-page Indiana fact sheet lists only infant and toddler prices, so the 4-year-old figure is sourced from the full analysis table) (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Iowa

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant child care in a licensed Iowa center costs a median-income family (statewide median family income ~$85,197) about 15% of pre-tax income, roughly $12,800 per year, per Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (Iowa CCR&R); a frequently cited figure of about $12,168/year for infant center care appears in secondary cost-aggregator sources but could NOT be verified against the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (which publishes 2018-vintage county-level data and the cited DOL page does not list this state-average figure) (Source: https://iowaccrr.org/data/).

Average preschool daycare cost: Could not verify against source: the figure of about $9,745/year for center-based care of a 4-year-old in Iowa appears only in a secondary commercial blog (Procare, dated 2023) that cites no primary source, and it is NOT published by the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices as the draft claimed; no authoritative .gov or DOL source was found confirming this preschool tuition figure (Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Kansas

Average infant daycare cost: The 2024 Kansas Child Care Market Analysis reports a statewide-average 75th-percentile center-based weekly rate of $274.44 for infants (0-12 months), which is roughly $14,271/year at 52 weeks; a corresponding U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices statewide annual figure (cited in the draft as about $15,132/year) could not be verified against the source because the DOL page blocks automated retrieval and the NDCP publishes county-level median weekly prices rather than a single statewide annual average (Source: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Child_Care/Provider_Market_Rate_Study.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The 2024 Kansas Child Care Market Analysis reports a statewide-average 75th-percentile center-based weekly rate of $209.85 for 4- and 5-year-olds, which is roughly $10,912/year at 52 weeks; a corresponding U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices statewide annual figure (cited in the draft as about $9,204/year) could not be verified against the source because the DOL page blocks automated retrieval and the NDCP publishes county-level median weekly prices rather than a single statewide annual average (Source: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Child_Care/Provider_Market_Rate_Study.pdf).

Kentucky

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual cost of center-based INFANT (under 1) care in Kentucky is approximately $7,238 per year (about $603/month), a weighted average across 120 Kentucky counties, per the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 data, most recent release); higher figures cited by broader cost-of-living analyses (EPI / Child Care Aware) for urban centers like Louisville/Lexington could not be verified against the EPI source directly. (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/kentucky citing DOL Women's Bureau NDCP 2022)

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual cost of center-based PRESCHOOL (3-to-5-year-old) care in Kentucky is approximately $6,605 per year (about $550/month), a weighted average across 120 Kentucky counties, per the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 data). (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/kentucky citing DOL Women's Bureau NDCP 2022)

Louisiana

Average infant daycare cost: Average center-based INFANT care in Louisiana runs about $10,088 per year (approximately $840/month, derived as the annual figure divided by 12) per a 2025 cost report built on the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), with prices expressed in 2022 real dollars; the underlying federal NDCP harmonizes Market Rate Survey data spanning collection years 2008-2022, and the cheapest Louisiana parish for center-based infant care is Pointe Coupee Parish at about $6,240/year (Source: Daycare Cost Guide, citing DOL NDCP, https://daycarecostguide.com/state/la; primary: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Average preschool daycare cost: Average center-based PRESCHOOL (4-year-old) care in Louisiana runs about $9,699 per year (approximately $808/month, derived as the annual figure divided by 12) per a 2025 cost report built on the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 real dollars), running about $389/year (roughly 4%) below infant care (Source: Daycare Cost Guide, citing DOL NDCP, https://daycarecostguide.com/state/la; primary: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Maine

Average infant daycare cost: Maine's statewide median full-time weekly rate for center-based infant care was $297/week (roughly $15,444/year) at the 50th percentile for child care facilities, per Appendix A, Table A1 (Statewide) of the 2024 Maine Child Care Market Rate Survey prepared for the Maine OCFS (dated May 9, 2024). Source: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/sites/maine.gov.dhhs/files/inline-files/2024%20Maine%20OCFS%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Maine's statewide median full-time weekly rate for center-based preschooler care was $255/week (roughly $13,260/year) at the 50th percentile for child care facilities, per Appendix A, Table A1 (Statewide) of the 2024 Maine Child Care Market Rate Survey prepared for the Maine OCFS (dated May 9, 2024). Source: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/sites/maine.gov.dhhs/files/inline-files/2024%20Maine%20OCFS%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report.pdf

Maryland

Average infant daycare cost: Maryland's average annual cost of center-based infant care is reported around $14,631 (DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices) and substantially higher at $19,906 by Child Care Aware for 2023 as cited in the official Maryland Comptroller report; note the NDCP figure derives from 2018-vintage data (collection cycle 2008-2018) presented in 2018/2022 real dollars, NOT a 2022 data collection, so the common "2022 NDCP data" attribution is a date error (Sources: https://plainchildcare.com/state/maryland citing DOL NDCP; https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/md/reports/research/childcare.pdf Figure 13 citing Child Care Aware 2023; https://www.childandfamilydataarchive.org/cfda/archives/cfda/studies/38303 for NDCP 2008-2018 vintage).

Average preschool daycare cost: Maryland's average annual cost of center-based preschool/4-year-old care is about $10,631 per the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2018-vintage data, not 2022) and $12,771 for 2023 center-based 4-year-old care per Child Care Aware as published in the Maryland Comptroller's official report; the draft's $12,771 figure traces to Child Care Aware 2023, not the NDCP, so attributing it to NDCP was a source mix-up (Sources: https://plainchildcare.com/state/maryland citing DOL NDCP; https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/md/reports/research/childcare.pdf Figure 13 citing Child Care Aware 2023).

Massachusetts

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based INFANT care in Massachusetts was $26,343 in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Massachusetts was $20,669 in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (the '4-Year-Old' column). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf

Michigan

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Michigan was $13,454 in 2024 (about $1,121/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based child care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Michigan was $12,246 in 2024 (about $1,021/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I, column '4-Year-Old' (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Minnesota

Average infant daycare cost: The statewide average price for center-based INFANT care in Minnesota is $396 per week (roughly $1,716/month or $20,592/year at 52 weeks), per Child Care Aware of Minnesota's Cost of Care data (as of November 2025); Twin Cities metro infant care averages $451/week versus $282/week in Greater Minnesota. Source: https://www.childcareawaremn.org/families/cost-of-care/

Average preschool daycare cost: The statewide average price for center-based PRESCHOOL care in Minnesota is $306 per week (roughly $1,326/month or $15,912/year at 52 weeks), per Child Care Aware of Minnesota's Cost of Care data (as of November 2025); metro preschool care averages $341/week versus $231/week in Greater Minnesota. Source: https://www.childcareawaremn.org/families/cost-of-care/

Mississippi

Average infant daycare cost: The average (mean) full-time monthly price of center-based infant care in Mississippi was $640 per month in 2024 ($625 median), per the 2024 Mississippi Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted for the MS Department of Human Services (Source: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mississippi-Child-Care-Market-Rate-Survey-2024.pdf, Appendix A, Table 14, p.29).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average (mean) full-time monthly price of center-based preschool (4-year-old) care in Mississippi was $571 per month in 2024 ($550 median), per the 2024 Mississippi Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted for the MS Department of Human Services (Source: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mississippi-Child-Care-Market-Rate-Survey-2024.pdf, Appendix A, Table 14, p.29).

Missouri

Average infant daycare cost: Infant child care in Missouri averages roughly $12,900 per year (about $1,075/month) for center-based care, per Wonderschool's 2026 Missouri pricing guide; this aligns with the figure of about $12,907/year attributed to the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 estimates, 2019-2022 collection cycle), though the exact DOL statewide amount could not be directly verified because the DOL NDCP data files were not retrievable (HTTP 403) at verification time (Source: https://www.wonderschool.com/blog/family-resources/average-cost-of-daycare-in-missouri-2026-pricing-guide-by-city-and-age).

Average preschool daycare cost: Preschool/4-year-old child care in Missouri averages roughly $9,696 per year (about $808/month) for center-based care, per Wonderschool's 2026 Missouri pricing guide; this aligns with the figure of about $9,681/year attributed to the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 estimates), though the exact DOL statewide amount could not be directly verified because the DOL NDCP data files were not retrievable (HTTP 403) at verification time (Source: https://www.wonderschool.com/blog/family-resources/average-cost-of-daycare-in-missouri-2026-pricing-guide-by-city-and-age).

Montana

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant/toddler child care in Montana averages about $11,700 per year, a figure published by the Montana Dept. of Labor & Industry (citing Child Care Aware of America's 2022 'Catalyzing Growth' data) and consistent with the ~$11,466/yr center-based infant price attributed to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) (Source: https://lmi.mt.gov/_docs/Publications/EAG-Articles/EAG-0324_Final.pdf; https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Montana%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based care for a preschool-age child in Montana is reported at about $10,243 per year, attributed to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022); however this preschool-specific figure could not be verified against a primary DOL or Montana .gov source (the verifiable .gov figures cover infant/toddler care at $11,700/yr and a two-child infant+4-year-old center total of $22,100/yr) (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/montana citing DOL NDCP 2022; https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Nebraska

Average infant daycare cost: Average full-time center-based infant care in Nebraska was $18,147 per year in 2024 per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care analysis (Table I; data collected Dec 2024-Mar 2025, reported as 2024); separately, the 2025 Nebraska Child Care Market Rate Survey reports an urban (Douglas/Lancaster/Sarpy/Dakota) center-based full-day infant mean rate of $58.13 per day (75th-percentile $66.35) (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf and https://dhhs.ne.gov/Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Surveys/2025%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Report.pdf). [Note: the draft's '$13,383' is Nebraska's family-child-care infant price (CCA Table II), not center-based; the center-based infant figure is $18,147.]

Average preschool daycare cost: Average preschool/4-year-old center-based full-day care in Nebraska had an urban mean daily rate of $48.40 (Table 3C) and an urban 75th-percentile of $55.00/day (Table 1), per the 2025 Nebraska Child Care Market Rate Survey; both figures are verified against the source, though the draft's '~$12,100/year at ~250 care days' is an unverified annualization estimate, not a figure reported in the survey (Source: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Surveys/2025%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Report.pdf).

Nevada

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant child care in Nevada averages about $12,659 per year (roughly $1,055/month) as of the 2024 data year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price & Supply Report fact sheet for Nevada (corroborated by the state's 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey, which reported a statewide center average weekly rate of $257.37 for children under 1 year, i.e. about $1,115/month). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Nevada.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in Nevada averaged $211.82 per week statewide (Center, Grand Total), or roughly $918/month (~$11,015/year), according to the state's 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted by The Children's Cabinet for the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (the 2022 survey is the most recent state-specific market-rate data, as Child Care Aware's 2024 fact sheet breaks out infant and toddler but not 4-year-old center rates separately). Source: https://dss.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dwssnvgov/content/Care/2022MarketRateReport.pdf

New Hampshire

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of center-based infant care in New Hampshire was $17,250 in 2023 (Child Care Aware of America 2023 New Hampshire Fact Sheet, as reported by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) — https://nhfpi.org/blog/annual-price-of-2023-child-care-for-two-granite-state-children-under-five-averaged-nearly-32000/

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of center-based care for a preschooler (four-year-old) in New Hampshire was $14,618 in 2023, and the 2023 combined average for one infant plus one preschooler in center-based care was $31,868 (Child Care Aware of America 2023 data, as reported by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) — https://nhfpi.org/blog/annual-price-of-2023-child-care-for-two-granite-state-children-under-five-averaged-nearly-32000/

New Jersey

Average infant daycare cost: The average price of center-based infant child care in New Jersey was about $20,213 per year in 2024 (Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report — New Jersey fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-NewJersey.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: A statewide preschool/4-year-old price could not be verified against a primary federal/state source, because New Jersey's Child Care Aware fact sheet reports prices only for infants and toddlers, not 4-year-olds; the closest verified primary figure is center-based care for a toddler at about $19,448 per year in New Jersey in 2024 (Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report — New Jersey fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-NewJersey.pdf).

New Mexico

Average infant daycare cost: New Mexico is excluded from the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices for all years (the database "does not include any price estimates for New Mexico, because price data were not available and no imputation methods were feasible"), so the most authoritative state figure is ECECD's 2024 child care cost estimation model, which puts the estimated full cost of care for an infant in a licensed child care center at $1,974 per month (Table 10, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies for NM ECECD, NMCEM Report 2024); a consumer market-price cross-reference estimates average full-time infant care at about $1,127/month ($13,521/year) (Tootris New Mexico cost breakdown).

Average preschool daycare cost: Per New Mexico ECECD's 2024 cost estimation model, the estimated full cost of care for a preschooler (4-year-old) in a licensed child care center is $1,335 per month (Table 10, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies for NM ECECD, NMCEM Report 2024); a consumer market-price cross-reference estimates average full-time care for a 4-year-old at about $790/month ($9,486/year) (Tootris New Mexico cost breakdown).

New York

Average infant daycare cost: Could not verify against the primary source: the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) was unreachable from this session (dol.gov, data.gov, and the datalumos archive all returned HTTP 403). The draft's cited secondary source (plainchildcare.com) states average center-based infant care in New York was about $13,869 per year (2022 NDCP), but a second NDCP-citing source (childcarecost.org, "DOL Data 2022") reports a New York center-based infant median of about $247/week (roughly $12,844/year), so the exact $13,869 figure could not be confirmed against the official database. Source (unconfirmed secondary): https://plainchildcare.com/state/new-york

Average preschool daycare cost: Could not verify against the primary source: the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) was unreachable from this session (HTTP 403 on dol.gov / data.gov / datalumos). The draft's cited secondary source (plainchildcare.com) states average center-based preschool (3-5 year old) care in New York was about $11,679 per year (2022 NDCP), but this exact figure traces only to that single secondary source and conflicts with other NDCP-attributed third-party figures (e.g., $13,667-$14,988), so it could not be confirmed against the official database. Source (unconfirmed secondary): https://plainchildcare.com/state/new-york

North Carolina

Average infant daycare cost: The most current and authoritative figure for full-time center-based infant care in North Carolina is about $12,370 per year, confirmed directly in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care affordability analysis (state table, center-based infant column); an older, widely-repeated estimate of about $9,487 per year (roughly $790/month) is commonly attributed to the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 data) but could not be confirmed against the DOL primary source, which returned HTTP 403 to automated access. (Sources: Child Care Aware of America 2024 Affordability Analysis — https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf ; and reportedly U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare)

Average preschool daycare cost: The most current and authoritative figure for full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old in North Carolina is about $10,381 per year (roughly $865/month), confirmed directly in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care affordability analysis (state table, center-based 4-year-old column); an older estimate of about $8,113 per year (roughly $676/month) is widely repeated for a 4-year-old but could not be confirmed against the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices primary source (HTTP 403), and one secondary source cited in this record (PlainChildcare) instead lists $6,548/year for a 4-year-old, so the pre-2024 NDCP-era preschool figure should be treated as unverified. (Sources: Child Care Aware of America 2024 Affordability Analysis — https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf ; and reportedly U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare)

North Dakota

Average infant daycare cost: In North Dakota, the average full-time weekly rate for infant (0-17 months) care at a center-based child care program was $245.92 (about $1,066/month or ~$12,788/year), or $199.39/week ($863/month) across all licensed provider types, per the 2023 North Dakota Child Care Provider Report: Market Rate and Narrow Cost Analysis Survey (NDSU Center for Social Research Report #111, published July 2024 for ND HHS), Tables 10-11. [https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/EA/CCAP/2024_MRS.pdf]

Average preschool daycare cost: In North Dakota, the average full-time weekly rate for preschool (3-5 year-old) care at a center-based child care program was $213.09 (about $923/month or ~$11,081/year), or $183.10/week ($793/month) across all licensed provider types, per the 2023 North Dakota Child Care Provider Report: Market Rate and Narrow Cost Analysis Survey (NDSU Center for Social Research Report #111, published July 2024 for ND HHS), Tables 10-11. [https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/EA/CCAP/2024_MRS.pdf]

Ohio

Average infant daycare cost: In Ohio, full-time center-based infant care averages $13,780 per year (about $1,148/month) according to Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report; the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 vintage, covering all 88 Ohio counties) corroborates a lower statewide figure of roughly $11,791/year for center-based infant care. (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Ohio.pdf)

Average preschool daycare cost: Could not verify against source: the cited Child Care Aware of America Ohio fact sheet (Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report) does not state a price for a 4-year-old/preschool-age child; it reports center-based prices only for an infant ($13,780/year) and a toddler ($12,376/year), plus a combined infant-and-4-year-old two-child center total of $25,532/year. The draft's $11,752/year preschool figure is not stated in the source (it equals the $25,532 two-child total minus the $13,780 infant price, i.e., a derivation rather than a published figure). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Ohio.pdf)

Oklahoma

Average infant daycare cost: The 2024 Oklahoma Child Care Market Rate Report (University of Oklahoma CECPD + OKDHS) reports a statewide average full-time infant rate at licensed child care CENTERS of $44.81 per day (median $43.95/day) in its Appendix A totals; a secondary OPSR/RAND-related 2024 Cost of Care announcement states infant care "averaged around $16,500 annually." Source: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/okdhs-pdf-library/child-care-services/Oklahoma%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report%20083124.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: The 2024 Oklahoma Child Care Market Rate Report shows a statewide average full-time rate for 4-year-olds at licensed child care CENTERS of $35.39 per day (median $33.78/day) in its Appendix A totals; the OPSR 2024 Cost of Care announcement states infant care is "approximately double the cost for preschool-aged children" (implying preschool is roughly half of the ~$16,500 infant figure), but a precise preschool annual dollar amount could not be verified against source. Source: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/okdhs-pdf-library/child-care-services/Oklahoma%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report%20083124.pdf

Oregon

Average infant daycare cost: Infant care in a licensed center in Oregon runs about $2,060 per month statewide (75th-percentile full-time monthly price per child care slot), per the 2024 Oregon Child Care Market Price Study: Rate Area Findings (Table 2, "Center, Monthly 75th Percentile Rates," Oregon row), prepared by Oregon State University College of Health / Oregon Child Care Research Partnership for the Department of Early Learning and Care, March 2024 (prices drawn from the Find Child Care Oregon CCR&R database, collected in an October-December window) — https://health.oregonstate.edu/sites/health.oregonstate.edu/files/2024-oregon-market-price-study-rate-area-report.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Preschool (3-5 yr) care in a licensed center in Oregon runs about $1,540 per month statewide (75th-percentile full-time monthly price per child care slot), per the 2024 Oregon Child Care Market Price Study: Rate Area Findings (Table 2, "Center, Monthly 75th Percentile Rates," Oregon row), Oregon State University College of Health / Oregon Child Care Research Partnership for the Department of Early Learning and Care, March 2024 — https://health.oregonstate.edu/sites/health.oregonstate.edu/files/2024-oregon-market-price-study-rate-area-report.pdf

Pennsylvania

Average infant daycare cost: The average price of center-based infant child care in Pennsylvania is $14,910 per year (about $1,243/month), and an infant in family child care averages $10,994 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report" (data year 2024). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Penn.pdf)

Average preschool daycare cost: A standalone average annual price for center-based care of a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Pennsylvania could not be verified against source: the Child Care Aware of America 2024 fact sheet does not publish a standalone 4-year-old center price (it lists only the combined cost of an infant plus a 4-year-old in a center, $27,364/year), and the Economic Policy Institute state page (cited in the draft) could not be retrieved to confirm its figure, while secondary reprints of EPI data report conflicting amounts for a Pennsylvania 4-year-old. The draft's prior $12,453 figure was a back-calculation from the Child Care Aware combined number and was incorrectly attributed to EPI; it is not supported by any source and has been removed. (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Penn.pdf)

Rhode Island

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based full-time infant care in Rhode Island was priced at about $13,780 per year ($1,148/month) in 2020 per Child Care Aware of America's "Demanding Change" report (verified directly from the primary state fact-sheet PDF, where the center-based infant figure reads $13,780); a more current benchmark is the 2024 Rhode Island Child Care Market Rate Survey, whose 75th-percentile center-based infant rate of $355.50/week annualizes to about $18,486/year ($1,540/month), confirmed directly against Table 6 of the primary DHS survey report. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/State%20Fact%20Individual%20Sheets/Rhode%20Island.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based full-time care for a 4-year-old in Rhode Island was priced at about $11,700 per year ($975/month) in 2020 per Child Care Aware of America's "Demanding Change" report (verified directly from the primary state fact-sheet PDF, where the center-based 4-year-old figure reads $11,700); a more current benchmark is the 2024 Rhode Island Child Care Market Rate Survey, whose 75th-percentile center-based preschool rate of $311.78/week annualizes to about $16,213/year ($1,351/month), confirmed directly against Table 6 of the primary DHS survey report. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/State%20Fact%20Individual%20Sheets/Rhode%20Island.pdf

South Carolina

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant care in South Carolina averages about $9,048 per year (roughly $754/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2023 "Child Care at a Standstill" South Carolina affordability fact sheet; the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices reports a lower median of about $7,732/year (NDCP, 2022). (Source: Child Care Aware of America, South Carolina 2023 Price of Care fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2023%20Price%20Fact%20Sheet/South%20Carolina%202023_Price%20of%20Care.pdf.)

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based care for a 4-year-old/preschooler in South Carolina is reported at about $7,402 per year by the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022, center-based preschool age 3-5); the Child Care Aware of America 2023 fact sheet does not publish a standalone 4-year-old center price (its only standalone center figures are infant $9,048/year and toddler $8,727/year, plus a combined 2-child infant-plus-4-year-old center price of $17,264/year), so the earlier draft figure of about $8,216 could not be verified against the Child Care Aware source and was replaced. (Source: U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices via plainchildcare.com state summary, https://plainchildcare.com/state/south-carolina.)

South Dakota

Average infant daycare cost: The average price of center-based infant child care in South Dakota was $7,862 per year (2022 data), as stated directly on Child Care Aware of America's South Dakota 2022 Price Fact Sheet, part of its Catalyzing Growth report series (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/South%20Dakota%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average price of center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in South Dakota was approximately $7,218 per year (2022 data), derived from Child Care Aware of America's South Dakota 2022 Price Fact Sheet, whose chart lists the combined 'annual child care price for 2 children (an infant and 4 year old) in a center' at $15,080 less the stated $7,862 infant price; the fact sheet does not print a standalone 4-year-old figure (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/South%20Dakota%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Tennessee

Average infant daycare cost: In Tennessee, the average full-time weekly price for infant care at a day care center was $299.42 (about $1,297/month or $15,570/year) for the state as a whole in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Tennessee Child Care Market Rate Survey (Table 3, All Tennessee Counties, Daycare Centers row), prepared by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee for the Tennessee Department of Human Services (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/2022-2023%20Market%20Rate%20Survey.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The FY2022-2023 Tennessee Child Care Market Rate Survey reports day care-center fees only by the age brackets Infant, Toddler, "2 Years Old and Over," and School-Age (it has no separate 4-year-old/preschool bracket), and the statewide "2 Years Old and Over" day care-center average (the bracket covering preschool-age children) was $259.69 per week, about $1,125/month (Table 3, All Tennessee Counties, Daycare Centers row, TN DHS / UT Boyd Center, https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/2022-2023%20Market%20Rate%20Survey.pdf).

Texas

Average infant daycare cost: Average infant (center-based) daycare in Texas runs about $777 per month (roughly $9,324 per year) at the low end of published 2026 Texas market aggregations; the federal DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022, latest county data) puts Texas center-based infant care notably higher at about $10,706 per year (https://illumine.app/blog/how-much-childcare-costs-in-texas).

Average preschool daycare cost: Average preschool/4-year-old daycare in Texas typically ranges $7,000-$12,000 per year per 2026 Texas cost aggregations, consistent with the federal DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) figure of about $9,664 per year for preschool care; the previously stated point estimate of $680/month (~$8,160/year) could not be verified against the cited source (https://illumine.app/blog/how-much-childcare-costs-in-texas).

Utah

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant care in Utah averaged about $11,766 per year (roughly $226/week) based on the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 data), as reported at childcarecost.org/state/utah.

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based preschool-age (3-5 year-old) care in Utah averaged approximately $8,778 per year based on DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) data averaged across reporting counties (plainchildcare.com/state/utah); note this specific dollar figure could not be verified against the draft's cited source childcarecost.org, whose state page lists no preschool figure and whose Utah County page shows $8,739/year, and which characterizes preschool as roughly 30-40% (not 25-30%) below the infant rate.

Vermont

Average infant daycare cost: In Vermont, the average (mean) full-time weekly rate for infant care at licensed child care programs was $359.81 per week (roughly $1,559 per month or about $18,710 per year using a 52-week extrapolation), per the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division 2024 Child Care Market Rate Survey (published June 2024, rates as of January 2024) (https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Reports/CC-MRS/CC-MRS-Report-2024.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: In Vermont, the average (mean) full-time weekly rate for preschool-age (36-59 months) care at licensed child care programs was $305.32 per week (roughly $1,323 per month or about $15,877 per year using a 52-week extrapolation), per the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division 2024 Child Care Market Rate Survey (published June 2024, rates as of January 2024) (https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Reports/CC-MRS/CC-MRS-Report-2024.pdf).

Virginia

Average infant daycare cost: The average price of center-based infant child care in Virginia is $16,796 per year (about $1,400/month) per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply" Virginia fact sheet, which also lists family child care home infant care at $13,052/year. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Virginia.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Virginia averages about $13,884 per year (roughly $1,157/month) based on Child Care Aware of America 2024 price data as reported for Virginia, a figure consistent with the Virginia fact sheet's combined infant-plus-4-year-old center price of $30,680 minus the $16,796 infant price; the fact sheet itself lists center-based infant ($16,796) and toddler ($15,964) but not a standalone 4-year-old line item, so the preschool figure comes from secondary reporting of Child Care Aware data (the originally drafted DOL National Database of Childcare Prices comparison and the '$3,342/year savings by preschool age' claim could not be verified against source and were internally inconsistent with the underlying numbers). Source: https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/16/child-care-costs-virginia-inflation

Washington

Average infant daycare cost: Center-based infant care in Washington averaged $21,348 per year (about $1,779 per month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply" Washington fact sheet (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Washington.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: Washington does not publish a single statewide preschool average; the state's DCYF 2024 Cost of Quality Child Care and Market Rate Study (July 2024) reports licensed child care center full-time preschool 85th-percentile private-pay rates ranging by region from $1,169.96/month (Region 1, central/eastern WA counties including Chelan and Grant) up to $2,350.00/month (Region 4, King County) (https://dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/reports/ChildCareMarketRateStudy2024.pdf); third-party aggregators citing Child Care Aware put center care for a 4-year-old at roughly $16,908/year ($1,409/month) in 2024, a preschool-specific figure that could not be verified against Child Care Aware's primary Washington fact sheet, which lists only infant and toddler center prices.

West Virginia

Average infant daycare cost: West Virginia's 2024 average annual price of full-time center-based infant care is $10,439 per year (about $870 per month), and full-time family child care (home-based) infant care averages $8,565 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (Table I and Table II); an earlier Child Care Aware "Demanding Change" report using 2020 data put West Virginia center-based infant care at $8,320/year and family child care home infant care at $7,540/year (Child Care Aware of America, 2024 Affordability Analysis / 2020 Demanding Change report).

Average preschool daycare cost: West Virginia's 2024 average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old is $9,368 per year, with family child care (home-based) 4-year-old care averaging $7,762 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (Tables I and II); the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy (Aug 2024), citing Procare data, similarly reported center-based four-year-old care at about $9,000/year, while the older 2020 Child Care Aware "Demanding Change" report put center-based 4-year-old care at $8,320/year and family child care home 4-year-old care at $6,760/year (Child Care Aware of America, 2024 Affordability Analysis / 2020 Demanding Change report; West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, Aug 2024).

Wisconsin

Average infant daycare cost: Wisconsin's 2025 Child Care Market Survey reports the statewide 50th-percentile (median) weekly full-time price for infant (age 0-1) care in licensed group (center) programs at $225/week in the least-urban communities (Region A, 0-24% urban) rising to $340/week in the most-urban communities (Region D, 75-100% urban, e.g. Milwaukee/Madison metros) — roughly $975 to $1,473 per month — using prices current as of March 2025 (DCF-P-5872, published May 2025): https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5872.pdf

Average preschool daycare cost: Wisconsin's 2025 Child Care Market Survey reports the statewide 50th-percentile (median) weekly full-time price for preschool-age (age 4-5) care in licensed group (center) programs at $190/week in the least-urban communities (Region A, 0-24% urban) rising to $264/week in the most-urban communities (Region D, 75-100% urban) — roughly $823 to $1,143 per month — using prices current as of March 2025 (DCF-P-5872, published May 2025): https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5872.pdf

Wyoming

Average infant daycare cost: The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Wyoming is $12,784 (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report" Wyoming fact sheet ("$12,784 per year — For an infant in center-based child care") (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Wyoming.pdf).

Average preschool daycare cost: The average annual price of center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Wyoming is approximately $11,229 (2024) — a derived estimate, since the Child Care Aware of America Wyoming fact sheet publishes a combined infant + 4-year-old center price of $24,013 (confirmed on the sheet) but no standalone 4-year-old price, so $24,013 minus the confirmed infant price of $12,784 yields about $11,229 (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Wyoming.pdf).

Average daycare cost by state: full table

Confirmed infant figures for 48 of 50 states and preschool figures for 45 of 50. Each cell shows the approximate average with its year and source. Confirm current prices locally before relying on them.

Alabama

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant child care in Alabama averages roughly $6,896-$8,632 per year (about $575-$719/month) per Daycare Cost Guide's compilation of 2022 county-level medians from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices; the source page itself reports both figures, and DOL's database publishes county-level medians rather than a single confirmable statewide average (https://daycarecostguide.com/state/al).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based preschool (4-year-old) child care in Alabama averages about $8,008 per year (roughly $667/month), slightly below infant care, per Daycare Cost Guide's compilation of 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (https://daycarecostguide.com/state/al).

Alaska

Avg infant cost (approx.): Full-time infant care in Alaska had a typical market price of about $1,000 per month (roughly $12,000 per year) according to the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office 2023 Market Price Survey Report, as summarized by thread ("the typical rate for infant care is $1000 per month"). (Source: https://www.threadalaska.org/learn-and-grow/blog/alaska-child-care-program-office-releases-2023-market-price-survey-report)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Full-time preschool-age care in Alaska had a typical market price of about $850 per month (roughly $10,200 per year) according to the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office 2023 Market Price Survey Report, as summarized by thread ("pre-school care is $850 per month"). (Source: https://www.threadalaska.org/learn-and-grow/blog/alaska-child-care-program-office-releases-2023-market-price-survey-report)

Arizona

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average price of full-time center-based INFANT child care in Arizona is $15,964 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis," Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average price of full-time center-based care for a 4-YEAR-OLD (preschooler) in Arizona is $11,680 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis," Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf)

Arkansas

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Arkansas was $9,178 (about $765/month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Arkansas was $8,320 (about $693/month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

California

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based INFANT care in California is $22,628 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis" (Table I; California row), confirmed directly against the source PDF. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-YEAR-OLD (preschool-age) in California is $16,665 per year (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis" (Table I; corroborated in Table VII, which ranks California 5th least-affordable at $16,665), confirmed directly against the source PDF. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf

Colorado

Avg infant cost (approx.): In Colorado the average price of infant care in a child care center is $20,978 per year (about $1,748/month), per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America 2024 Price & Supply data; the U.S. Dept. of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices puts Colorado's median infant center price lower at $238/week (about $12,350/year) from its 2022 data (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Colorado.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Colorado's Child Care Aware of America 2024 fact sheet does not publish a separate 4-year-old/preschool figure (its nearest center figure is $17,479/year for a toddler, 2024 data), and a specific Colorado preschool/4-year-old center price could not be verified against the cited source, so it is reported here as Could not verify against source (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Colorado.pdf).

Connecticut

Avg infant cost (approx.): Infant/toddler care at a licensed Connecticut child care center has a statewide 50th-percentile (median) full-time weekly rate of $375 (the statewide average regional rate is lower, at $328/week), which annualizes to roughly $19,500/year, per the 2024 Connecticut Child Care Market Rate Report (University of Connecticut School of Social Work in partnership with the CT Office of Early Childhood; Market Rate Survey data collected September-December 2023). Source: https://www.ctoec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Connecticut-Market-Rate-Survey-and-Methodology-Report-06-26-2024-Final.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Preschool-age (3-5 yr) care at a licensed Connecticut child care center has a statewide 50th-percentile (median) full-time weekly rate of $280 (the statewide average regional rate is lower, at $231/week), about $14,560/year annualized, per the 2024 Connecticut Child Care Market Rate Report (UConn School of Social Work / CT Office of Early Childhood, Market Rate Survey data collected September-December 2023). Source: https://www.ctoec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Connecticut-Market-Rate-Survey-and-Methodology-Report-06-26-2024-Final.pdf

Delaware

Avg infant cost (approx.): Delaware's 2024 Local Child Care Market Rate Survey reports the 75th-percentile full-time daily price for center-based infant care at $75.00/day in New Castle County and $62.38/day in Kent and Sussex counties (combined); at roughly 21.7 working days/month, the New Castle figure equates to about $1,625/month (Source: 2024 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey, Final Report for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services, submitted May 22, 2024 — https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/dss/pdf/2024DelawareChildCareMarketRateSurvey.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Delaware's 2024 Local Child Care Market Rate Survey reports the 75th-percentile full-time daily price for center-based preschool-age care at $60.40/day in New Castle County and $50.00/day in Kent and Sussex counties (combined); at roughly 21.7 working days/month, the New Castle figure equates to about $1,311/month (Source: 2024 Delaware Local Child Care Market Rate Survey, Final Report for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Social Services, submitted May 22, 2024 — https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/dss/pdf/2024DelawareChildCareMarketRateSurvey.pdf).

Florida

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant care in Florida averaged $11,440 per year (about $953/month) in 2022, per Child Care Aware of America's Florida 2022 Price Fact Sheet (Catalyzing Growth: Using Data to Change Child Care report series) (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Florida%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The specific dollar figure for center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Florida could not be verified against the cited primary source: Child Care Aware of America's Florida 2022 Price Fact Sheet lists infant ($11,440), toddler center-based ($9,880), and family-child-care figures but does NOT report a 4-year-old/preschool price, and the ~$9,000/year figure traces only to a third-party calculator (daycarecalc.com) rather than a government or CCAoA primary source; note Florida separately offers a free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program for 4-year-olds (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Florida%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Georgia

Avg infant cost (approx.): Could not verify against source: the draft figure of $6,591/year for center-based infant care in Georgia is attributed to the U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, but the NDCP publishes county-level (not statewide-average) prices, and DOL/NDCP-derived data contradict it (e.g., Fulton County center-based infant care was estimated at $10,600 and the lowest-cost example, Clarke County, at $7,572 in 2022 dollars); the $6,591 figure traces only to the commercial aggregator plainchildcare.com (which labels it 2023), not to any DOL primary source.
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Could not verify against source: the draft figure of $6,034/year for center-based preschool (3-to-5-year-old) care in Georgia is attributed to the U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, but the NDCP publishes county-level (not statewide-average) prices, and DOL/NDCP-derived data contradict it (e.g., Fulton County center-based preschool care was estimated at $9,389 and Clarke County at $6,966 in 2022 dollars); the $6,034 figure traces only to the commercial aggregator plainchildcare.com (which labels it 2023), not to any DOL primary source.

Hawaii

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual cost of full-time center-based infant care in Hawaii was $24,115 in 2024 (about $2,010/month), per the State of Hawaii Data Book 2024, Table 14.14 ("Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Child Care, by Provider, by State"), which draws on Child Care Aware of America survey data collected January 2025 (https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/economic/databook/2024-individual/14/141424.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual cost of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in Hawaii was $13,992 in 2024 (about $1,166/month), per the State of Hawaii Data Book 2024, Table 14.14 ("Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Child Care, by Provider, by State"), which draws on Child Care Aware of America survey data collected January 2025 (https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/economic/databook/2024-individual/14/141424.pdf).

Idaho

Avg infant cost (approx.): Idaho's statewide median full-time infant (0-23 months) child care rate was $700.00 per month (mean $770.59) based on 873 providers, per Table 2 of the 2024 Idaho Child Care Market Rate Analysis prepared by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (dated August 6, 2024) — https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/0/edoc/30760/Idaho%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Report%202024.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Idaho's statewide median full-time preschool-age (36-59 months) child care rate was $675.00 per month (mean $701.39) based on 1,012 providers, per Table 2 of the 2024 Idaho Child Care Market Rate Analysis prepared by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (dated August 6, 2024) — https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/WebLink/0/edoc/30760/Idaho%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Report%202024.pdf

Illinois

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant childcare in Illinois averages about $12,257 per year, based on 2022 county-weighted data from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (https://plainchildcare.com/state/illinois citing https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based preschool-age childcare in Illinois averages about $9,481 per year, based on 2022 county-weighted data from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (https://plainchildcare.com/state/illinois citing https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Indiana

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant child care in Indiana averages $16,478 per year (about $1,373/month), per Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply analysis (Indiana price fact sheet) (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Indiana.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Indiana averages $12,531 per year (about $1,044/month), per Table I of Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (the one-page Indiana fact sheet lists only infant and toddler prices, so the 4-year-old figure is sourced from the full analysis table) (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Iowa

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant child care in a licensed Iowa center costs a median-income family (statewide median family income ~$85,197) about 15% of pre-tax income, roughly $12,800 per year, per Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (Iowa CCR&R); a frequently cited figure of about $12,168/year for infant center care appears in secondary cost-aggregator sources but could NOT be verified against the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (which publishes 2018-vintage county-level data and the cited DOL page does not list this state-average figure) (Source: https://iowaccrr.org/data/).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Could not verify against source: the figure of about $9,745/year for center-based care of a 4-year-old in Iowa appears only in a secondary commercial blog (Procare, dated 2023) that cites no primary source, and it is NOT published by the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices as the draft claimed; no authoritative .gov or DOL source was found confirming this preschool tuition figure (Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Kansas

Avg infant cost (approx.): The 2024 Kansas Child Care Market Analysis reports a statewide-average 75th-percentile center-based weekly rate of $274.44 for infants (0-12 months), which is roughly $14,271/year at 52 weeks; a corresponding U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices statewide annual figure (cited in the draft as about $15,132/year) could not be verified against the source because the DOL page blocks automated retrieval and the NDCP publishes county-level median weekly prices rather than a single statewide annual average (Source: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Child_Care/Provider_Market_Rate_Study.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The 2024 Kansas Child Care Market Analysis reports a statewide-average 75th-percentile center-based weekly rate of $209.85 for 4- and 5-year-olds, which is roughly $10,912/year at 52 weeks; a corresponding U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices statewide annual figure (cited in the draft as about $9,204/year) could not be verified against the source because the DOL page blocks automated retrieval and the NDCP publishes county-level median weekly prices rather than a single statewide annual average (Source: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Child_Care/Provider_Market_Rate_Study.pdf).

Kentucky

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual cost of center-based INFANT (under 1) care in Kentucky is approximately $7,238 per year (about $603/month), a weighted average across 120 Kentucky counties, per the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 data, most recent release); higher figures cited by broader cost-of-living analyses (EPI / Child Care Aware) for urban centers like Louisville/Lexington could not be verified against the EPI source directly. (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/kentucky citing DOL Women's Bureau NDCP 2022)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual cost of center-based PRESCHOOL (3-to-5-year-old) care in Kentucky is approximately $6,605 per year (about $550/month), a weighted average across 120 Kentucky counties, per the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 data). (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/kentucky citing DOL Women's Bureau NDCP 2022)

Louisiana

Avg infant cost (approx.): Average center-based INFANT care in Louisiana runs about $10,088 per year (approximately $840/month, derived as the annual figure divided by 12) per a 2025 cost report built on the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), with prices expressed in 2022 real dollars; the underlying federal NDCP harmonizes Market Rate Survey data spanning collection years 2008-2022, and the cheapest Louisiana parish for center-based infant care is Pointe Coupee Parish at about $6,240/year (Source: Daycare Cost Guide, citing DOL NDCP, https://daycarecostguide.com/state/la; primary: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Average center-based PRESCHOOL (4-year-old) care in Louisiana runs about $9,699 per year (approximately $808/month, derived as the annual figure divided by 12) per a 2025 cost report built on the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022 real dollars), running about $389/year (roughly 4%) below infant care (Source: Daycare Cost Guide, citing DOL NDCP, https://daycarecostguide.com/state/la; primary: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Maine

Avg infant cost (approx.): Maine's statewide median full-time weekly rate for center-based infant care was $297/week (roughly $15,444/year) at the 50th percentile for child care facilities, per Appendix A, Table A1 (Statewide) of the 2024 Maine Child Care Market Rate Survey prepared for the Maine OCFS (dated May 9, 2024). Source: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/sites/maine.gov.dhhs/files/inline-files/2024%20Maine%20OCFS%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Maine's statewide median full-time weekly rate for center-based preschooler care was $255/week (roughly $13,260/year) at the 50th percentile for child care facilities, per Appendix A, Table A1 (Statewide) of the 2024 Maine Child Care Market Rate Survey prepared for the Maine OCFS (dated May 9, 2024). Source: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/sites/maine.gov.dhhs/files/inline-files/2024%20Maine%20OCFS%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report.pdf

Maryland

Avg infant cost (approx.): Maryland's average annual cost of center-based infant care is reported around $14,631 (DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices) and substantially higher at $19,906 by Child Care Aware for 2023 as cited in the official Maryland Comptroller report; note the NDCP figure derives from 2018-vintage data (collection cycle 2008-2018) presented in 2018/2022 real dollars, NOT a 2022 data collection, so the common "2022 NDCP data" attribution is a date error (Sources: https://plainchildcare.com/state/maryland citing DOL NDCP; https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/md/reports/research/childcare.pdf Figure 13 citing Child Care Aware 2023; https://www.childandfamilydataarchive.org/cfda/archives/cfda/studies/38303 for NDCP 2008-2018 vintage).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Maryland's average annual cost of center-based preschool/4-year-old care is about $10,631 per the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2018-vintage data, not 2022) and $12,771 for 2023 center-based 4-year-old care per Child Care Aware as published in the Maryland Comptroller's official report; the draft's $12,771 figure traces to Child Care Aware 2023, not the NDCP, so attributing it to NDCP was a source mix-up (Sources: https://plainchildcare.com/state/maryland citing DOL NDCP; https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/content/dam/mdcomp/md/reports/research/childcare.pdf Figure 13 citing Child Care Aware 2023).

Massachusetts

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based INFANT care in Massachusetts was $26,343 in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (2024 Average Annual Price of Full-Time Center-Based Child Care by State). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Massachusetts was $20,669 in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (the '4-Year-Old' column). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf

Michigan

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Michigan was $13,454 in 2024 (about $1,121/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based child care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Michigan was $12,246 in 2024 (about $1,021/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I, column '4-Year-Old' (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_Updated_2024.pdf).

Minnesota

Avg infant cost (approx.): The statewide average price for center-based INFANT care in Minnesota is $396 per week (roughly $1,716/month or $20,592/year at 52 weeks), per Child Care Aware of Minnesota's Cost of Care data (as of November 2025); Twin Cities metro infant care averages $451/week versus $282/week in Greater Minnesota. Source: https://www.childcareawaremn.org/families/cost-of-care/
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The statewide average price for center-based PRESCHOOL care in Minnesota is $306 per week (roughly $1,326/month or $15,912/year at 52 weeks), per Child Care Aware of Minnesota's Cost of Care data (as of November 2025); metro preschool care averages $341/week versus $231/week in Greater Minnesota. Source: https://www.childcareawaremn.org/families/cost-of-care/

Mississippi

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average (mean) full-time monthly price of center-based infant care in Mississippi was $640 per month in 2024 ($625 median), per the 2024 Mississippi Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted for the MS Department of Human Services (Source: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mississippi-Child-Care-Market-Rate-Survey-2024.pdf, Appendix A, Table 14, p.29).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average (mean) full-time monthly price of center-based preschool (4-year-old) care in Mississippi was $571 per month in 2024 ($550 median), per the 2024 Mississippi Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted for the MS Department of Human Services (Source: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mississippi-Child-Care-Market-Rate-Survey-2024.pdf, Appendix A, Table 14, p.29).

Missouri

Avg infant cost (approx.): Infant child care in Missouri averages roughly $12,900 per year (about $1,075/month) for center-based care, per Wonderschool's 2026 Missouri pricing guide; this aligns with the figure of about $12,907/year attributed to the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 estimates, 2019-2022 collection cycle), though the exact DOL statewide amount could not be directly verified because the DOL NDCP data files were not retrievable (HTTP 403) at verification time (Source: https://www.wonderschool.com/blog/family-resources/average-cost-of-daycare-in-missouri-2026-pricing-guide-by-city-and-age).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Preschool/4-year-old child care in Missouri averages roughly $9,696 per year (about $808/month) for center-based care, per Wonderschool's 2026 Missouri pricing guide; this aligns with the figure of about $9,681/year attributed to the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 estimates), though the exact DOL statewide amount could not be directly verified because the DOL NDCP data files were not retrievable (HTTP 403) at verification time (Source: https://www.wonderschool.com/blog/family-resources/average-cost-of-daycare-in-missouri-2026-pricing-guide-by-city-and-age).

Montana

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant/toddler child care in Montana averages about $11,700 per year, a figure published by the Montana Dept. of Labor & Industry (citing Child Care Aware of America's 2022 'Catalyzing Growth' data) and consistent with the ~$11,466/yr center-based infant price attributed to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) (Source: https://lmi.mt.gov/_docs/Publications/EAG-Articles/EAG-0324_Final.pdf; https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/Montana%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based care for a preschool-age child in Montana is reported at about $10,243 per year, attributed to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022); however this preschool-specific figure could not be verified against a primary DOL or Montana .gov source (the verifiable .gov figures cover infant/toddler care at $11,700/yr and a two-child infant+4-year-old center total of $22,100/yr) (Source: https://plainchildcare.com/state/montana citing DOL NDCP 2022; https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare).

Nebraska

Avg infant cost (approx.): Average full-time center-based infant care in Nebraska was $18,147 per year in 2024 per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care analysis (Table I; data collected Dec 2024-Mar 2025, reported as 2024); separately, the 2025 Nebraska Child Care Market Rate Survey reports an urban (Douglas/Lancaster/Sarpy/Dakota) center-based full-day infant mean rate of $58.13 per day (75th-percentile $66.35) (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf and https://dhhs.ne.gov/Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Surveys/2025%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Report.pdf). [Note: the draft's '$13,383' is Nebraska's family-child-care infant price (CCA Table II), not center-based; the center-based infant figure is $18,147.]
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Average preschool/4-year-old center-based full-day care in Nebraska had an urban mean daily rate of $48.40 (Table 3C) and an urban 75th-percentile of $55.00/day (Table 1), per the 2025 Nebraska Child Care Market Rate Survey; both figures are verified against the source, though the draft's '~$12,100/year at ~250 care days' is an unverified annualization estimate, not a figure reported in the survey (Source: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Surveys/2025%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Report.pdf).

Nevada

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant child care in Nevada averages about $12,659 per year (roughly $1,055/month) as of the 2024 data year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price & Supply Report fact sheet for Nevada (corroborated by the state's 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey, which reported a statewide center average weekly rate of $257.37 for children under 1 year, i.e. about $1,115/month). Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Nevada.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in Nevada averaged $211.82 per week statewide (Center, Grand Total), or roughly $918/month (~$11,015/year), according to the state's 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey conducted by The Children's Cabinet for the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (the 2022 survey is the most recent state-specific market-rate data, as Child Care Aware's 2024 fact sheet breaks out infant and toddler but not 4-year-old center rates separately). Source: https://dss.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dwssnvgov/content/Care/2022MarketRateReport.pdf

New Hampshire

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of center-based infant care in New Hampshire was $17,250 in 2023 (Child Care Aware of America 2023 New Hampshire Fact Sheet, as reported by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) — https://nhfpi.org/blog/annual-price-of-2023-child-care-for-two-granite-state-children-under-five-averaged-nearly-32000/
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of center-based care for a preschooler (four-year-old) in New Hampshire was $14,618 in 2023, and the 2023 combined average for one infant plus one preschooler in center-based care was $31,868 (Child Care Aware of America 2023 data, as reported by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute) — https://nhfpi.org/blog/annual-price-of-2023-child-care-for-two-granite-state-children-under-five-averaged-nearly-32000/

New Jersey

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average price of center-based infant child care in New Jersey was about $20,213 per year in 2024 (Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report — New Jersey fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-NewJersey.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): A statewide preschool/4-year-old price could not be verified against a primary federal/state source, because New Jersey's Child Care Aware fact sheet reports prices only for infants and toddlers, not 4-year-olds; the closest verified primary figure is center-based care for a toddler at about $19,448 per year in New Jersey in 2024 (Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report — New Jersey fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-NewJersey.pdf).

New Mexico

Avg infant cost (approx.): New Mexico is excluded from the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices for all years (the database "does not include any price estimates for New Mexico, because price data were not available and no imputation methods were feasible"), so the most authoritative state figure is ECECD's 2024 child care cost estimation model, which puts the estimated full cost of care for an infant in a licensed child care center at $1,974 per month (Table 10, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies for NM ECECD, NMCEM Report 2024); a consumer market-price cross-reference estimates average full-time infant care at about $1,127/month ($13,521/year) (Tootris New Mexico cost breakdown).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Per New Mexico ECECD's 2024 cost estimation model, the estimated full cost of care for a preschooler (4-year-old) in a licensed child care center is $1,335 per month (Table 10, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies for NM ECECD, NMCEM Report 2024); a consumer market-price cross-reference estimates average full-time care for a 4-year-old at about $790/month ($9,486/year) (Tootris New Mexico cost breakdown).

New York

Avg infant cost (approx.): Could not verify against the primary source: the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) was unreachable from this session (dol.gov, data.gov, and the datalumos archive all returned HTTP 403). The draft's cited secondary source (plainchildcare.com) states average center-based infant care in New York was about $13,869 per year (2022 NDCP), but a second NDCP-citing source (childcarecost.org, "DOL Data 2022") reports a New York center-based infant median of about $247/week (roughly $12,844/year), so the exact $13,869 figure could not be confirmed against the official database. Source (unconfirmed secondary): https://plainchildcare.com/state/new-york
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Could not verify against the primary source: the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) was unreachable from this session (HTTP 403 on dol.gov / data.gov / datalumos). The draft's cited secondary source (plainchildcare.com) states average center-based preschool (3-5 year old) care in New York was about $11,679 per year (2022 NDCP), but this exact figure traces only to that single secondary source and conflicts with other NDCP-attributed third-party figures (e.g., $13,667-$14,988), so it could not be confirmed against the official database. Source (unconfirmed secondary): https://plainchildcare.com/state/new-york

North Carolina

Avg infant cost (approx.): The most current and authoritative figure for full-time center-based infant care in North Carolina is about $12,370 per year, confirmed directly in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care affordability analysis (state table, center-based infant column); an older, widely-repeated estimate of about $9,487 per year (roughly $790/month) is commonly attributed to the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 data) but could not be confirmed against the DOL primary source, which returned HTTP 403 to automated access. (Sources: Child Care Aware of America 2024 Affordability Analysis — https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf ; and reportedly U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The most current and authoritative figure for full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old in North Carolina is about $10,381 per year (roughly $865/month), confirmed directly in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Price of Care affordability analysis (state table, center-based 4-year-old column); an older estimate of about $8,113 per year (roughly $676/month) is widely repeated for a 4-year-old but could not be confirmed against the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices primary source (HTTP 403), and one secondary source cited in this record (PlainChildcare) instead lists $6,548/year for a 4-year-old, so the pre-2024 NDCP-era preschool figure should be treated as unverified. (Sources: Child Care Aware of America 2024 Affordability Analysis — https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Affordability_Analysis_2024.pdf ; and reportedly U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare)

North Dakota

Avg infant cost (approx.): In North Dakota, the average full-time weekly rate for infant (0-17 months) care at a center-based child care program was $245.92 (about $1,066/month or ~$12,788/year), or $199.39/week ($863/month) across all licensed provider types, per the 2023 North Dakota Child Care Provider Report: Market Rate and Narrow Cost Analysis Survey (NDSU Center for Social Research Report #111, published July 2024 for ND HHS), Tables 10-11. [https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/EA/CCAP/2024_MRS.pdf]
Avg preschool cost (approx.): In North Dakota, the average full-time weekly rate for preschool (3-5 year-old) care at a center-based child care program was $213.09 (about $923/month or ~$11,081/year), or $183.10/week ($793/month) across all licensed provider types, per the 2023 North Dakota Child Care Provider Report: Market Rate and Narrow Cost Analysis Survey (NDSU Center for Social Research Report #111, published July 2024 for ND HHS), Tables 10-11. [https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/EA/CCAP/2024_MRS.pdf]

Ohio

Avg infant cost (approx.): In Ohio, full-time center-based infant care averages $13,780 per year (about $1,148/month) according to Child Care Aware of America's Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report; the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 vintage, covering all 88 Ohio counties) corroborates a lower statewide figure of roughly $11,791/year for center-based infant care. (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Ohio.pdf)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Could not verify against source: the cited Child Care Aware of America Ohio fact sheet (Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report) does not state a price for a 4-year-old/preschool-age child; it reports center-based prices only for an infant ($13,780/year) and a toddler ($12,376/year), plus a combined infant-and-4-year-old two-child center total of $25,532/year. The draft's $11,752/year preschool figure is not stated in the source (it equals the $25,532 two-child total minus the $13,780 infant price, i.e., a derivation rather than a published figure). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Ohio.pdf)

Oklahoma

Avg infant cost (approx.): The 2024 Oklahoma Child Care Market Rate Report (University of Oklahoma CECPD + OKDHS) reports a statewide average full-time infant rate at licensed child care CENTERS of $44.81 per day (median $43.95/day) in its Appendix A totals; a secondary OPSR/RAND-related 2024 Cost of Care announcement states infant care "averaged around $16,500 annually." Source: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/okdhs-pdf-library/child-care-services/Oklahoma%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report%20083124.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The 2024 Oklahoma Child Care Market Rate Report shows a statewide average full-time rate for 4-year-olds at licensed child care CENTERS of $35.39 per day (median $33.78/day) in its Appendix A totals; the OPSR 2024 Cost of Care announcement states infant care is "approximately double the cost for preschool-aged children" (implying preschool is roughly half of the ~$16,500 infant figure), but a precise preschool annual dollar amount could not be verified against source. Source: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/okdhs-pdf-library/child-care-services/Oklahoma%20Child%20Care%20Market%20Rate%20Survey%20Final%20Report%20083124.pdf

Oregon

Avg infant cost (approx.): Infant care in a licensed center in Oregon runs about $2,060 per month statewide (75th-percentile full-time monthly price per child care slot), per the 2024 Oregon Child Care Market Price Study: Rate Area Findings (Table 2, "Center, Monthly 75th Percentile Rates," Oregon row), prepared by Oregon State University College of Health / Oregon Child Care Research Partnership for the Department of Early Learning and Care, March 2024 (prices drawn from the Find Child Care Oregon CCR&R database, collected in an October-December window) — https://health.oregonstate.edu/sites/health.oregonstate.edu/files/2024-oregon-market-price-study-rate-area-report.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Preschool (3-5 yr) care in a licensed center in Oregon runs about $1,540 per month statewide (75th-percentile full-time monthly price per child care slot), per the 2024 Oregon Child Care Market Price Study: Rate Area Findings (Table 2, "Center, Monthly 75th Percentile Rates," Oregon row), Oregon State University College of Health / Oregon Child Care Research Partnership for the Department of Early Learning and Care, March 2024 — https://health.oregonstate.edu/sites/health.oregonstate.edu/files/2024-oregon-market-price-study-rate-area-report.pdf

Pennsylvania

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average price of center-based infant child care in Pennsylvania is $14,910 per year (about $1,243/month), and an infant in family child care averages $10,994 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report" (data year 2024). (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Penn.pdf)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): A standalone average annual price for center-based care of a 4-year-old (preschooler) in Pennsylvania could not be verified against source: the Child Care Aware of America 2024 fact sheet does not publish a standalone 4-year-old center price (it lists only the combined cost of an infant plus a 4-year-old in a center, $27,364/year), and the Economic Policy Institute state page (cited in the draft) could not be retrieved to confirm its figure, while secondary reprints of EPI data report conflicting amounts for a Pennsylvania 4-year-old. The draft's prior $12,453 figure was a back-calculation from the Child Care Aware combined number and was incorrectly attributed to EPI; it is not supported by any source and has been removed. (Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Penn.pdf)

Rhode Island

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based full-time infant care in Rhode Island was priced at about $13,780 per year ($1,148/month) in 2020 per Child Care Aware of America's "Demanding Change" report (verified directly from the primary state fact-sheet PDF, where the center-based infant figure reads $13,780); a more current benchmark is the 2024 Rhode Island Child Care Market Rate Survey, whose 75th-percentile center-based infant rate of $355.50/week annualizes to about $18,486/year ($1,540/month), confirmed directly against Table 6 of the primary DHS survey report. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/State%20Fact%20Individual%20Sheets/Rhode%20Island.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based full-time care for a 4-year-old in Rhode Island was priced at about $11,700 per year ($975/month) in 2020 per Child Care Aware of America's "Demanding Change" report (verified directly from the primary state fact-sheet PDF, where the center-based 4-year-old figure reads $11,700); a more current benchmark is the 2024 Rhode Island Child Care Market Rate Survey, whose 75th-percentile center-based preschool rate of $311.78/week annualizes to about $16,213/year ($1,351/month), confirmed directly against Table 6 of the primary DHS survey report. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/State%20Fact%20Individual%20Sheets/Rhode%20Island.pdf

South Carolina

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant care in South Carolina averages about $9,048 per year (roughly $754/month), per Child Care Aware of America's 2023 "Child Care at a Standstill" South Carolina affordability fact sheet; the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices reports a lower median of about $7,732/year (NDCP, 2022). (Source: Child Care Aware of America, South Carolina 2023 Price of Care fact sheet, https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2023%20Price%20Fact%20Sheet/South%20Carolina%202023_Price%20of%20Care.pdf.)
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based care for a 4-year-old/preschooler in South Carolina is reported at about $7,402 per year by the U.S. DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP, 2022, center-based preschool age 3-5); the Child Care Aware of America 2023 fact sheet does not publish a standalone 4-year-old center price (its only standalone center figures are infant $9,048/year and toddler $8,727/year, plus a combined 2-child infant-plus-4-year-old center price of $17,264/year), so the earlier draft figure of about $8,216 could not be verified against the Child Care Aware source and was replaced. (Source: U.S. DOL National Database of Childcare Prices via plainchildcare.com state summary, https://plainchildcare.com/state/south-carolina.)

South Dakota

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average price of center-based infant child care in South Dakota was $7,862 per year (2022 data), as stated directly on Child Care Aware of America's South Dakota 2022 Price Fact Sheet, part of its Catalyzing Growth report series (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/South%20Dakota%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average price of center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool age) in South Dakota was approximately $7,218 per year (2022 data), derived from Child Care Aware of America's South Dakota 2022 Price Fact Sheet, whose chart lists the combined 'annual child care price for 2 children (an infant and 4 year old) in a center' at $15,080 less the stated $7,862 infant price; the fact sheet does not print a standalone 4-year-old figure (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/2022%20Price%20of%20Care%20State%20Fact%20Sheets/South%20Dakota%202022%20-Price%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf).

Tennessee

Avg infant cost (approx.): In Tennessee, the average full-time weekly price for infant care at a day care center was $299.42 (about $1,297/month or $15,570/year) for the state as a whole in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Tennessee Child Care Market Rate Survey (Table 3, All Tennessee Counties, Daycare Centers row), prepared by the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee for the Tennessee Department of Human Services (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/2022-2023%20Market%20Rate%20Survey.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The FY2022-2023 Tennessee Child Care Market Rate Survey reports day care-center fees only by the age brackets Infant, Toddler, "2 Years Old and Over," and School-Age (it has no separate 4-year-old/preschool bracket), and the statewide "2 Years Old and Over" day care-center average (the bracket covering preschool-age children) was $259.69 per week, about $1,125/month (Table 3, All Tennessee Counties, Daycare Centers row, TN DHS / UT Boyd Center, https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/2022-2023%20Market%20Rate%20Survey.pdf).

Texas

Avg infant cost (approx.): Average infant (center-based) daycare in Texas runs about $777 per month (roughly $9,324 per year) at the low end of published 2026 Texas market aggregations; the federal DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022, latest county data) puts Texas center-based infant care notably higher at about $10,706 per year (https://illumine.app/blog/how-much-childcare-costs-in-texas).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Average preschool/4-year-old daycare in Texas typically ranges $7,000-$12,000 per year per 2026 Texas cost aggregations, consistent with the federal DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) figure of about $9,664 per year for preschool care; the previously stated point estimate of $680/month (~$8,160/year) could not be verified against the cited source (https://illumine.app/blog/how-much-childcare-costs-in-texas).

Utah

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant care in Utah averaged about $11,766 per year (roughly $226/week) based on the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 data), as reported at childcarecost.org/state/utah.
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based preschool-age (3-5 year-old) care in Utah averaged approximately $8,778 per year based on DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (2022) data averaged across reporting counties (plainchildcare.com/state/utah); note this specific dollar figure could not be verified against the draft's cited source childcarecost.org, whose state page lists no preschool figure and whose Utah County page shows $8,739/year, and which characterizes preschool as roughly 30-40% (not 25-30%) below the infant rate.

Vermont

Avg infant cost (approx.): In Vermont, the average (mean) full-time weekly rate for infant care at licensed child care programs was $359.81 per week (roughly $1,559 per month or about $18,710 per year using a 52-week extrapolation), per the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division 2024 Child Care Market Rate Survey (published June 2024, rates as of January 2024) (https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Reports/CC-MRS/CC-MRS-Report-2024.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): In Vermont, the average (mean) full-time weekly rate for preschool-age (36-59 months) care at licensed child care programs was $305.32 per week (roughly $1,323 per month or about $15,877 per year using a 52-week extrapolation), per the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division 2024 Child Care Market Rate Survey (published June 2024, rates as of January 2024) (https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Reports/CC-MRS/CC-MRS-Report-2024.pdf).

Virginia

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average price of center-based infant child care in Virginia is $16,796 per year (about $1,400/month) per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply" Virginia fact sheet, which also lists family child care home infant care at $13,052/year. Source: https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Virginia.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Virginia averages about $13,884 per year (roughly $1,157/month) based on Child Care Aware of America 2024 price data as reported for Virginia, a figure consistent with the Virginia fact sheet's combined infant-plus-4-year-old center price of $30,680 minus the $16,796 infant price; the fact sheet itself lists center-based infant ($16,796) and toddler ($15,964) but not a standalone 4-year-old line item, so the preschool figure comes from secondary reporting of Child Care Aware data (the originally drafted DOL National Database of Childcare Prices comparison and the '$3,342/year savings by preschool age' claim could not be verified against source and were internally inconsistent with the underlying numbers). Source: https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/16/child-care-costs-virginia-inflation

Washington

Avg infant cost (approx.): Center-based infant care in Washington averaged $21,348 per year (about $1,779 per month) in 2024, per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply" Washington fact sheet (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Washington.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Washington does not publish a single statewide preschool average; the state's DCYF 2024 Cost of Quality Child Care and Market Rate Study (July 2024) reports licensed child care center full-time preschool 85th-percentile private-pay rates ranging by region from $1,169.96/month (Region 1, central/eastern WA counties including Chelan and Grant) up to $2,350.00/month (Region 4, King County) (https://dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/reports/ChildCareMarketRateStudy2024.pdf); third-party aggregators citing Child Care Aware put center care for a 4-year-old at roughly $16,908/year ($1,409/month) in 2024, a preschool-specific figure that could not be verified against Child Care Aware's primary Washington fact sheet, which lists only infant and toddler center prices.

West Virginia

Avg infant cost (approx.): West Virginia's 2024 average annual price of full-time center-based infant care is $10,439 per year (about $870 per month), and full-time family child care (home-based) infant care averages $8,565 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (Table I and Table II); an earlier Child Care Aware "Demanding Change" report using 2020 data put West Virginia center-based infant care at $8,320/year and family child care home infant care at $7,540/year (Child Care Aware of America, 2024 Affordability Analysis / 2020 Demanding Change report).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): West Virginia's 2024 average annual price of full-time center-based care for a 4-year-old is $9,368 per year, with family child care (home-based) 4-year-old care averaging $7,762 per year, per Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis (Tables I and II); the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy (Aug 2024), citing Procare data, similarly reported center-based four-year-old care at about $9,000/year, while the older 2020 Child Care Aware "Demanding Change" report put center-based 4-year-old care at $8,320/year and family child care home 4-year-old care at $6,760/year (Child Care Aware of America, 2024 Affordability Analysis / 2020 Demanding Change report; West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, Aug 2024).

Wisconsin

Avg infant cost (approx.): Wisconsin's 2025 Child Care Market Survey reports the statewide 50th-percentile (median) weekly full-time price for infant (age 0-1) care in licensed group (center) programs at $225/week in the least-urban communities (Region A, 0-24% urban) rising to $340/week in the most-urban communities (Region D, 75-100% urban, e.g. Milwaukee/Madison metros) — roughly $975 to $1,473 per month — using prices current as of March 2025 (DCF-P-5872, published May 2025): https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5872.pdf
Avg preschool cost (approx.): Wisconsin's 2025 Child Care Market Survey reports the statewide 50th-percentile (median) weekly full-time price for preschool-age (age 4-5) care in licensed group (center) programs at $190/week in the least-urban communities (Region A, 0-24% urban) rising to $264/week in the most-urban communities (Region D, 75-100% urban) — roughly $823 to $1,143 per month — using prices current as of March 2025 (DCF-P-5872, published May 2025): https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5872.pdf

Wyoming

Avg infant cost (approx.): The average annual price of full-time center-based infant child care in Wyoming is $12,784 (2024), per Child Care Aware of America's "Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report" Wyoming fact sheet ("$12,784 per year — For an infant in center-based child care") (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Wyoming.pdf).
Avg preschool cost (approx.): The average annual price of center-based care for a 4-year-old (preschool) in Wyoming is approximately $11,229 (2024) — a derived estimate, since the Child Care Aware of America Wyoming fact sheet publishes a combined infant + 4-year-old center price of $24,013 (confirmed on the sheet) but no standalone 4-year-old price, so $24,013 minus the confirmed infant price of $12,784 yields about $11,229 (https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Pricing%20and%20Landscape%20Infograms/Pricing%20Sheets%20PDF/2024-2025-price-fact-sheet-child-care-affordability-Wyoming.pdf).

Frequently asked questions about daycare costs

How much is daycare per month on average?: It varies enormously by state, age, and program. As an approximate range from 2022-2024 market data, full-time center-based infant care runs from roughly $575-$720 per month in lower-cost states like Alabama to about $1,900 per month in California, with preschool-age (4-year-old) care typically a few hundred dollars per month cheaper than infant care. These are approximate market averages compiled from sources like the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices and Child Care Aware — actual prices depend on your county, the specific program, and whether it is a center or a home. Find your state in the table below and confirm current rates with local providers.
Why is infant daycare more expensive than preschool?: Infant care almost always costs more than care for a 4-year-old because state staffing ratios require many more caregivers per child for babies. A center might be required to keep one adult for every 3-4 infants but one adult for every 10-12 preschoolers, so the labor cost per infant is far higher. That is why nearly every state's infant figure in the table below sits above its preschool figure. The gap is approximate and changes with each state's ratio rules and local wages.
What is the most expensive state for daycare?: By the approximate 2024 market averages compiled here, California and Hawaii are among the most expensive states for center-based infant care — both well over $1,800 per month for an infant. Massachusetts, Washington, and Colorado also rank high. These are approximate averages and the rankings shift year to year and source to source, so treat them as directional, not exact. Always verify current prices with providers in your specific area.
Are these daycare costs exact?: No. Every figure on this page is an approximate market average from 2022-2024, drawn from compilations such as the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, Child Care Aware of America affordability analyses, and individual state market-rate surveys. The underlying databases report county-level or percentile data, not a single authoritative statewide price, and prices change every year. Where we could not confirm a figure against its primary source, we say so plainly rather than guess. Use these numbers for planning and budgeting, then verify the current price with providers and your state's childcare agency.
How do I find the average daycare cost in my state?: Find your state in the table below. Each entry shows an approximate average infant price and preschool price, the year and the source it came from, and a link to that source. For the current price you will actually pay, contact licensed providers near you and check your state's childcare resource and referral agency — local prices vary widely by county and program.

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Full licensing rules, ratios, and required policies for your state.

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All 50-State Data References

Ratios, licensing fees, training hours, and more — state by state.

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How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

From program type through opening day, and how to price your tuition.

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How Much Does a Daycare License Cost?

The full first-year cost breakdown for opening a program.

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Daycare prices on this page are approximate market averages compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices, Child Care Aware of America, BLS wage data, and state market-rate surveys (figures roughly 2022-2024). They are provided for planning purposes only and vary by county, program, and provider type. Prices change frequently — always verify the current cost with local providers and your state's childcare agency before relying on these numbers. TotReady provides information and document templates, not financial or legal advice.