Home / Cost by State / California
2026 data Public-data reference. official source

Childcare Costs in California

Open-data reference.

Annual childcare costs in California are 27% above the national average. Infant center-based care costs $18,200/year — 21.6% of median household income.

$1,517/mo
Infant Center
$1,300/mo
Toddler Center
$1,117/mo
Preschool Center
21.6%
% of Median Income
Important: Childcare costs shown are state averages for 2024 and vary significantly by city, provider type, and quality rating. Subsidy eligibility thresholds change annually. Always contact local childcare agencies or childcare.gov for current eligibility and program details. This page provides educational information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Cost Breakdown by Age Group

California center-based childcare vs national

Annual cost. California vs national reference.

California infant$18,200National infant$14,300California toddler$15,600National toddler$12,100California preschool$13,400National preschool$10,600

Source:

Care Type Monthly Annual (California) National Avg Difference
Infant — Center $1,517/mo $18,200/yr $14,300/yr +$3,900
Toddler — Center $1,300/mo $15,600/yr $12,100/yr +$3,500
Preschool — Center $1,117/mo $13,400/yr $10,600/yr +$2,800
Infant — Home $1,125/mo $13,500/yr $9,800/yr +$3,700
Toddler — Home $933/mo $11,200/yr $8,500/yr +$2,700

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2018-2022 State averages for California. Costs vary significantly by city, provider type, and quality rating.

Affordability Analysis

State Median Household Income
$84,097/yr
Infant Center Cost as % of Income
21.6%
Federal Affordability Benchmark
7%

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as costing no more than 7% of household income. In California, infant center-based care consumes 21.6% of the median household income — 14.6 percentage points above the affordability threshold.

California Context: Bay Area and LA metro significantly above state average; state subsidies expanded

What Drives Childcare Prices in California

Center-based infant care in California averages $18,200/year or $1,517/month — 27% above the national average of $14,300/year. Toddler center care runs $15,600/year, preschool-age center care $13,400/year, and family (home-based) infant care $13,500/year. The center-versus-home price gap of $4,700/year for infants reflects different licensing tracks: California child care centers operate under commercial licensing with staff-to-child ratios typically capped at 1:3 or 1:4 for infants, while family child care homes follow small-group rules allowing up to six children in a residential setting. These are full-time annualized rates — part-time schedules are typically charged at ~70% of full-time rather than pro-rated day-by-day, and a registration deposit of $75-$250 plus one to two months of tuition is standard at enrollment.

The share of household income consumed by infant center care in California — 21.6% of the state median income of $84,097 — sits 14.6 percentage points above the federal 7% affordability benchmark set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The national share is 19.2%, which means California families face a heavier relative burden than the typical American household. Where burden exceeds 20%, the state effectively becomes an affordability desert — families must either stagger work schedules, rely on unpaid family caregivers, or secure CCDF subsidy to close the gap. Licensed provider density (slots per 100 children under age 5) is the practical constraint families hit first: even at market-rate prices, infant rooms in California often carry 6-18 month waitlists.

To find a licensed provider in California, start with the state's Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network — the official intake point for both provider searches and CCDF subsidy applications. Request every provider's current inspection report (public record through the state licensing portal), review their staff turnover rate, confirm their QRIS quality rating if the state operates a rating system, and verify NAEYC or NAFCC accreditation status. For subsidy, families earning up to 85.0% of state median income (roughly $5,957/month gross) qualify for CCDF vouchers; parent copayments follow a sliding scale. Head Start covers ages 3-5 free for households under 100% of federal poverty line, and state-funded pre-K programs cover eligible 4-year-olds in many California school districts at zero cost. Employer-side Dependent Care FSAs ($5,000/year pre-tax) and the federal CDCTC credit (20-35% of up to $3,000 per child) layer on top of any market-rate tuition paid directly.

CCDF Childcare Subsidy in California

California participates in the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program, which provides childcare financial assistance to working families with low to moderate incomes.

  • Income eligibility typically up to 85.0% of state median income
  • Child must be under age 13 (up to age 18 with special needs)
  • Parent/guardian must be working, in school, or in job training
  • Income-based copay; subsidy covers remaining provider cost

How to Apply

  1. Visit childcare.gov or your state's DHS/DSS website
  2. Search for the California childcare subsidy application
  3. Gather: proof of income, child's birth certificate, work/school documentation
  4. Apply online or at a local office; waitlists may apply

Income limits and copay amounts change annually. Contact your local childcare agency for the most current eligibility thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in California?
In California, center-based infant care averages $18,200/year ($1,517/month). Toddler care averages $15,600/year and preschool center care $13,400/year. These figures are 27% above the national average of $14,300/year. Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2024.
What percentage of income goes to childcare in California?
Infant center-based childcare in California costs approximately 21.6% of the state's median household income ($84,097/year). The national average is 19.2%. The federal affordability benchmark is 7% of household income — most California families pay well above that threshold.
Can I get childcare assistance in California?
Yes. California participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program, which provides childcare subsidies for eligible families. Income eligibility is typically set up to 85.0% of state median income (approximately $5,957/month gross income). Contact your local Department of Social Services or visit childcare.gov to apply and check current California income limits.
Is home-based childcare cheaper than a daycare center in California?
Yes. In California, home-based (family childcare) infant care averages $13,500/year ($1,125/month), compared to $18,200/year for center-based care — a savings of $4,700/year. Home-based care may offer more flexible hours and smaller group sizes, though regulations vary.
All federal data sources used on this page

Related