District of Columbia childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2012 data · median of 1 counties
In District of Columbia, median center-based infant care costs about $15,786 per year ($304/week) — about 98% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 22.3% of District of Columbia's median household income ($70,694), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (severe burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $12,365/year. Figures are 2012 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.
District of Columbia childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2012:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $304 | $15,786 | 22.3% | $216 | $11,220 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $253 | $13,159 | 18.6% | $200 | $10,418 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $238 | $12,365 | 17.5% | $193 | $10,026 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $249 | $12,929 | 18.3% | $172 | $8,962 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2012). 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 District of Columbia's median household income of $70,694. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for District of Columbia families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In District of Columbia, a year of center-based infant care ($15,786) is equal to about 22.3% 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 District of Columbia sits far above the 7% affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($12,365/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How District of Columbia compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to District of Columbia:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this state) | $15,786 | 22.3% | $12,365 |
| Connecticut | $15,860 | 20.4% | $12,610 |
| Massachusetts | $15,860 | 20.1% | $11,700 |
| California | $15,058 | 20.6% | $9,453 |
| Alaska | $17,484 | 22.8% | $11,400 |
| Rhode Island | $14,073 | 22.2% | $12,063 |
By annual infant-care cost, District of Columbia ranks #5 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, the median price of center-based infant care is about $15,786 per year ($304 per week), based on 2012 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 98% 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 District of Columbia?
Median center-based infant care in District of Columbia costs about 22.3% of the state's median household income ($70,694). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
Family (home-based) childcare in District of Columbia is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $11,220 per year versus $15,786 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 District of Columbia childcare data from?
These are 2012 median prices — the latest year District of Columbia 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 (2012, public domain). The state figure is the median of 1 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 2012. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20