Learn about how much childcare costs in various areas of the U.S.A.. Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-youll-spend-on-childcare_1199776.bc?showAll=true Learn more about U.S. Cross-Culture training for international assignees at www.authenticjourneys.info

1. How much you'll spend on childcare
In this article
 How much does childcare cost?
 How much do daycare centers cost?
 How much does home daycare cost?
 How much does nanny care cost?
 Should I pay a relative to care for my child?
How much does childcare cost?
There's no simple answer to this question. It depends on a number of variables, including:
 Where you live
 What type of childcare you choose
 Your child's age
 How many hours a week your child spends in childcare
Child Costs Calculator
Find out how much you're likely to spend to raise your child.
Where you live is what really determines the bottom line. Nanny care costs significantly less in,
say, St. Louis than in Manhattan simply because the cost of living is lower there and so are
wages. And daycare – whether in a center or in someone's home – could cost double or triple per
month in a relatively expensive city compared to a cheaper area. Your best bet is to check with
friends and caregivers near you to determine the going rate for the type of childcare you prefer.
There are costs associated with being your child's full-time caregiver, too — most significantly,
loss of your previous income. Read our complete article on the affordability of being a stay-at-
home parent.

2. If you're deciding which kind of childcare to choose, read on to learn out about the relative costs
and check out our chart that lists the pros and cons of each option.
How much do daycare centers cost?
Childcare for babies and toddlers
While your child is in the baby and toddler stages, you'll pay more. That's because kids this age
need more hands-on care and so the center must hire more caregivers. The average cost of
center-based daycare in the United States is $11,666 per year ($972 a month), but prices range
from $3,582 to $18,773 a year ($300 to $1,564 monthly), according to the National Association
of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Parents report higher costs – up to
$2,000 a month for infant care – in cities like Boston and San Francisco.
Topping the charts with costs over $10,000 a year for baby and toddler daycare are the following
states, beginning with the most expensive: Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota, Colorado,
California, Illinois, Washington, and Wisconsin.
By contrast, the states with least expensive childcare are Mississippi ($4,650 a year on average
for an infant or toddler), Kentucky ($6,500), and South Carolina ($5,850).
Childcare for preschoolers
Costs for daycare for preschool-age children are generally lower, averaging $8,800 a year ($733
a month). Depending on where you live, you'll pay anywhere from $4,460 to $13,185 a year
($371 to $1,100 a month).
The most expensive states for preschool-age care in a childcare center, with costs over $8,000 a
year ($667 a month), beginning with the most expensive, are Massachusetts, New York,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Pennsylvania..
The least expensive states for preschool-age care in a childcare center, with costs ranging from
less than $4,000 a year ($333 a month) to around $7,000 a year are Mississippi, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Idaho, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama.
To find out more about daycare options and costs in your area, contact your local Child Care
Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. More than 850 CCR&R agencies throughout the
country provide families with information about local childcare options and resources.
To find an agency near you, call the hotline at (800) 424-2246 or visit the Child Care Aware
website. The website features a helpful tool that tells you the average cost of home daycare and
daycare centers in your zip code.

3. How much does home daycare cost?
Again, this depends on the age of your child and where you live. The size of the facility and
whether or not it's licensed also matters. Some providers charge almost as much as daycare
centers, while others charge very little, especially if they're close friends or neighbors of the
families whose children they're caring for.
The average home daycare charges about $7,761 a year ($646 a month) for babies and toddlers.
Prices start at $3,582 a year and go up to $11,940 a year ($300 to $995 a month) but in large
cities this cost is likely to be higher.
The most expensive states for home daycare for infants and toddlers, with costs over $8,500 a
year ($700 a month), beginning with the most expensive, are Massachusetts, New York,
Connecticut, Maryland, and Wisconsin. The least expensive states, with costs of less than $4,000
a year ($333 a month), beginning with the least expensive, are South Carolina, Mississippi,
Louisiana,Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and Arkansas.
For preschool-age children, the average cost for home daycare is $7,627 a year ($636 a month).
Prices start at $3,780 a year and top at $12,000 a year ($315 to $1,000 a month).
The most expensive states for home daycare for preschoolers, with costs over $8,500 a year
($700 a month), beginning with the most expensive, are Massachusetts, New York, and
Connecticut.
The least expensive states for home daycare for preschoolers, with costs of less than $4,000 a
year ($333 a month), beginning with the least expensive, are South Carolina, West Virginia, and
Missouri.
Find out more about home daycare.
How much does nanny care cost?
A nanny may be your most expensive option. Keep in mind that when you hire a nanny you
become an employer, and the U.S. government expects you to pay your nanny's Social Security
taxes and fulfill other responsibilities.
Depending on where you live, how many children you have, and how stiff the competition is for
qualified candidates, nannies cost anywhere from $500 to $700 a week ($2,167 to $3,033 a
month) for full-time care and between about $400 and $650 a week ($1,733 to $2,817 a month)
for part-time hours — though your costs could be a bit lower if it's a live-in situation.
According to the International Nanny Association, nanny salaries are highest in the New
England, Middle Atlantic, and Pacific states.
Since a nanny is an employee, many parents pay for their nanny's health insurance. If you do

4. this, the nanny usually picks her own health plan and provides you with the financial breakdown.
You can then decide to pay for all or part of the premium. You may also want to offer other
benefits, such as paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.
Find out more about nanny care.
Should I pay a relative to care for my child?
This is a tricky question. Yes, you should pay, but that doesn't mean your relative will accept
money. Some family members refuse payment, saying it's their pleasure (or duty) to help take
care of a member of their family.
If you're lucky enough to have a loving relative nearby who's willing to take care of your baby at
no charge, you might want to find some type of compensation other than money. Get her gift
certificates for restaurants, movie theaters, or her favorite store; surprise her with a thank-you
card and flowers every few weeks; or offer to pay a bill or help with household chores or yard
work. You should also plan on giving your relative days off and vacation time.
Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-youll-spend-on-
childcare_1199776.bc?showAll=true