How much will childcare actually cost you in 2026? Pick your care type, enter your take-home pay, and see the monthly, annual, and lifetime price — plus what % of your income childcare eats. No signup, no email.
Side-by-side monthly cost for the four main options at your area's cost level. Nanny and au pair are per-family (not per child); daycare and after-school are per child.
| Care type | Monthly cost | Annual cost | Best for |
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If you pay this much every year for 0 years (your input), the total bill for childcare alone is $0. The USDA estimates the full cost of raising a child from birth to 17 is roughly $300,000+ in 2026 — childcare is the single largest line item, ahead of housing, food, and education.
Full-time center-based infant daycare averages $1,200-$2,000/month in most US metros in 2026 ($14,400-$24,000/year). High-cost-of-living cities (SF, Boston, NYC, Seattle) run $2,000-$3,500/month. Toddler care is 10-20% cheaper, preschool 20-30% cheaper than infant. Home-based daycare is 20-40% cheaper than center-based.
For one child, a nanny is usually more expensive: $3,000-$5,000/month gross in most US metros. For two or more children, a nanny is often cheaper than two daycare slots and offers more flexibility. Add 10-15% for employer-side payroll taxes if you use a payroll service, and $500-$1,000/year for background checks, contract, and onboarding.
From a cultural-exchange program (AuPairCare, Cultural Care, InterExchange), an au pair costs $1,800-$2,500/month total in 2026. That includes the $400-$500 weekly stipend, the agency's program fee ($8,000-$10,000/year), and required health insurance and education contribution. Best for families with one child who want live-in help — not a cost-saving move vs. daycare in most metros.
The US Department of Health & Human Services considers childcare affordable at 7% of household income. Most financial planners suggest capping it at 10-15% of take-home pay — above 20% it's hard to save for other goals. The calculator shows your actual % so you can see whether the cost is sustainable.
Yes. The federal CDCTC lets working parents claim up to $3,000 in childcare expenses for one child or $6,000 for two+, with a credit worth 20-35% of those expenses depending on AGI. At 35% (income under $15K AGI), that's up to $2,100 back. The calculator subtracts an estimated CDCTC value from your annual cost so you see the real net price.
From birth through age 17, the average US family spends $200,000-$300,000 per child on childcare alone. The USDA puts the full cost of raising a child at $300K+ in 2026, of which childcare is roughly 30-40%. The calculator shows your estimated total over 18 years at your selected care type.
Disclaimer: 2026 childcare cost defaults are based on the US Department of Health & Human Services, the Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator, and the USDA Cost of Raising a Child report. Actual costs in your metro may be 50%+ higher or lower. The CDCTC estimate uses the federal 2026 schedule and assumes a working household — consult a tax professional for your specific situation.