Child Care Cost as a Percentage of Income
Families who pay for child care spend about 5.6% of household income on it on average (Census, 2024). But averages hide a lot: lower-income families often spend a far larger share, well above the 7% affordability threshold used by federal guidelines.
Child care costs about 5.6% of household income on average among families who pay for it (Census, 2024) — but the burden is much heavier for lower-income households.
- Average share of income5.6%
- Federal affordability line7%
- Average annual cost$10,520
- PopulationPaying households
Source: U.S. Census Bureau — Child Care Costs in the Current Population Survey, 2024
The 7% affordability benchmark
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers child care affordable at or below 7% of household income. The Census figure — about 5.6% on average among paying families — is a mean that sits below that line, but it masks wide variation: many lower- and middle-income families with young children pay well over 7%, especially for infant care or multiple children.
Child care affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average share of household income | 5.6% |
| Federal affordability threshold | 7% |
| Average annual cost (paying households) | $10,520 |
| Average monthly cost | ~$877 |
Census Bureau, Child Care Costs in the CPS (2024); HHS affordability threshold (7% of income).
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of income should go to child care?
Federal guidelines consider 7% of household income affordable. On average, paying families spend about 5.6% (Census, 2024).
Do families really spend under 7%?
On average, yes — but lower-income households and those paying for infant care often spend well above 7%, sometimes 15% or more.
What is the average child care cost?
About $10,520 a year among families who pay for care (Census, 2024), or roughly $877 a month.
Why is the average share lower than I expected?
It is a mean across all paying households, including higher-income families for whom the same dollar cost is a smaller share of income.
Sources & methodology
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau — Child Care Costs in the Current Population Survey, 2024.
The cost-share and dollar figures are from the Census Bureau working paper on child care costs (2024). The 7% threshold is the HHS affordability standard. The calculator uses your own inputs.
Last checked July 2026 · Reviewed when the Census Bureau updates its child care cost estimates.