California childcare cost
West region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 58 counties
In California, median center-based infant care costs about $15,058 per year ($290/week) — about 89% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 20.6% of California's median household income ($73,056), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (severe burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $9,453/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
California childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $290 | $15,058 | 20.6% | $184 | $9,566 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $182 | $9,453 | 12.9% | $169 | $8,768 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $182 | $9,453 | 12.9% | $169 | $8,768 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $169 | $8,791 | 12.0% | $152 | $7,878 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with California's median household income of $73,056. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for California families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In California, a year of center-based infant care ($15,058) is equal to about 20.6% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so California sits far above the 7% affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($9,453/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How California compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to California:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (this state) | $15,058 | 20.6% | $9,453 |
| District of Columbia | $15,786 | 22.3% | $12,365 |
| Connecticut | $15,860 | 20.4% | $12,610 |
| Massachusetts | $15,860 | 20.1% | $11,700 |
| Rhode Island | $14,073 | 22.2% | $12,063 |
| New Jersey | $13,193 | 16.4% | $10,096 |
By annual infant-care cost, California ranks #6 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in California
County-level median prices we publish for California:
- Los Angeles County — infant center care $17,378/yr (2018)
- San Diego County — infant center care $17,074/yr (2018)
- Orange County — infant center care $17,727/yr (2018)
- Riverside County — infant center care $15,417/yr (2018)
- San Bernardino County — infant center care $15,151/yr (2018)
- Santa Clara County — infant center care $20,892/yr (2018)
- Alameda County — infant center care $20,446/yr (2018)
- Sacramento County — infant center care $15,638/yr (2018)
- Contra Costa County — infant center care $19,093/yr (2018)
- Fresno County — infant center care $14,934/yr (2018)
- Kern County — infant center care $14,905/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in California?
In California, the median price of center-based infant care is about $15,058 per year ($290 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 89% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in California?
Median center-based infant care in California costs about 20.6% of the state's median household income ($73,056). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so California is far above the 7% affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in California?
Family (home-based) childcare in California is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $9,566 per year versus $15,058 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this California childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year California appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 58 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20