Average Child Care Cost
Households that pay for child care spent about $10,520 per year in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) — roughly $877 a month, or about 5.6% of household income.
The average annual child care cost among families who pay for it was about $10,520 in 2024 — about $877/month, or 5.6% of household income on average.
- Per year$10,520
- Per month~$877
- Share of income5.6%
- PopulationKids age 13 or younger
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — Child Care Costs in the Current Population Survey, 2024
Who is counted, and what “average” means
This is the average annual expenditure among households that pay for child care for children age 13 or younger — not an average across all families (many pay nothing because they use unpaid or school-based care). It is a mean, so high-cost metro care pulls it up. It reflects out-of-pocket cost after any subsidies, and covers day care, nannies, before/after-school programs and similar arrangements.
Average child care cost by the numbers
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual cost (paying households) | $10,520 |
| Average monthly cost | ~$877 |
| As a share of household income | 5.6% |
| Children covered | Age 13 or younger |
U.S. Census Bureau, Child Care Costs in the Current Population Survey, 2024. Figures reflect households that report paying for care.
Frequently asked questions
How much does child care cost per year?
About $10,520 a year on average for families who pay for it (2024 Census data), or roughly $877 a month.
What percentage of income goes to child care?
About 5.6% of household income on average among paying families, though the share is far higher for lower-income households.
Does this include families who pay nothing?
No. The average is among households that report paying for care. Families using unpaid relatives or school-based care are excluded.
Is child care cost rising?
Care costs have generally risen faster than overall inflation over the past decade, though the Census figure reflects out-of-pocket amounts after any subsidies.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau — Child Care Costs in the Current Population Survey, 2024.
Figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau working paper on child care costs in the Current Population Survey (2024). The share-of-income calculator is a NumberBench tool using your own inputs.
Last checked July 2026 · Reviewed when the Census Bureau updates its child care cost estimates.