How Much Does Preschool & Daycare Cost? A State-by-State Calculator

Preschool and daycare prices vary widely by state, age, and program — the US average for a 4-year-old in center-based care is about $12,503 a year (~$1,042/month), and infant daycare costs more. Pick your state for the local average and a calculator that estimates your cost by child age, schedule, and program type. Infant and toddler (daycare-age) care is the most expensive and drops as children get older.

Alabama~$667/mo Alaska~$824/mo Arizona~$973/mo Arkansas~$693/mo California~$1,389/mo Colorado~$1,233/mo Connecticut~$1,275/mo Delaware~$1,102/mo District of Columbia~$1,748/mo Florida~$784/mo Georgia~$798/mo Hawaii~$1,166/mo Idaho~$767/mo Illinois~$1,437/mo Indiana~$1,044/mo Iowa~$842/mo Kansas~$768/mo Kentucky~$893/mo Louisiana~$782/mo Maine~$1,179/mo Maryland~$1,300/mo Massachusetts~$1,722/mo Michigan~$1,021/mo Minnesota~$1,311/mo Mississippi~$572/mo Missouri~$797/mo Montana~$1,192/mo Nebraska~$1,312/mo Nevada~$884/mo New Hampshire~$1,087/mo New Jersey~$1,459/mo New Mexico~$731/mo New York~$1,445/mo North Carolina~$865/mo North Dakota~$906/mo Ohio~$979/mo Oklahoma~$785/mo Oregon~$1,105/mo Pennsylvania~$1,038/mo Rhode Island~$1,351/mo South Carolina~$808/mo South Dakota~$673/mo Tennessee~$903/mo Texas~$852/mo Utah~$823/mo Vermont~$1,323/mo Virginia~$1,157/mo Washington~$1,409/mo West Virginia~$781/mo Wisconsin~$1,253/mo Wyoming~$936/mo

What drives preschool prices

Four things move the number most: your child's age — infant and toddler care is the most expensive and the cost drops as children get older; hours — full-day runs roughly twice a half-day, and five days more than two or three; program type — Montessori and private programs typically cost 20–50% above a community or church-based preschool; and extras — registration, materials, and meal fees that aren't always in the quoted tuition. Always ask each school what's included before you compare two prices.

Price is not a safety check

Cost and quality are only loosely related, and the one independent record most parents never look at is free: a provider's state licence, inspection history, and any cited violations. Look up any daycare's licensing record →