Child Care Cost Calculator
Estimate daycare, nanny, or au pair costs by child age, care type, and state. See DCFSA tax savings.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: BLS
Total Monthly Cost
$1,100.00
Total Annual Cost
$13,200.00
DCFSA Tax Savings
$900.00
Cost per Child
| Child 1 (Toddler (1-3)) | $1,100.00/mo |
Cost Summary
| Monthly Total | $1,100.00 |
| Annual Total | $13,200.00 |
DCFSA (Dependent Care FSA) Savings
| Max Annual Contribution | $5,000 |
| Estimated Tax Savings | $900.00 |
| Net Annual Cost (after DCFSA) | $12,300.00 |
| Note | DCFSA reduces taxable income (pre-tax dollars) |
National Average Monthly Costs
| Infant (center) | $1,230/mo |
| Toddler (center) | $1,100/mo |
| Preschool (center) | $950/mo |
| School-age (center) | $600/mo |
| Nanny | $15-25/hr |
| Au Pair | ~$20,000/yr total |
Use the Child Care Cost Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Care for young children is one of the largest line items in a family budget, and the right arrangement, daycare, a nanny, or an au pair, changes the math considerably. This tool projects what that care will run you and folds in the tax savings you may qualify for, drawing on 2026 data for both typical care costs and available credits to keep the estimate grounded.
The projection begins with the average weekly cost for your chosen care type in your state and your child's age group, then annualizes it. For families who qualify, it layers in the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA). The limit rose for 2026: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. 119-21) lifted it from $5,000 to $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and because that money comes out before taxes are figured, it can lower your overall tax bill noticeably.
Treat the output as an estimate, since real costs swing with the specific provider, urban versus rural settings, and any extra services. Nanny care in particular carries less obvious expenses such as payroll taxes, benefits, and agency fees that are easy to leave out of a first pass. It also pays to read your employer's DCFSA terms closely, because contribution limits and eligibility rules can vary from one plan to the next.
Example: Estimating Child Care Costs for a Toddler in California with DCFSA Savings
- 1 Let's say you have a 2-year-old child in California and are considering full-time daycare. You estimate the average weekly cost for daycare in your area to be $350.
- 2 First, we annualize the daycare cost: $350/week * 52 weeks = $18,200 per year. Next, we consider the DCFSA. Assuming you contribute the 2026 maximum of $7,500, that amount comes out of your taxable income. At a household income in the 22% federal bracket, your tax savings from the DCFSA would be $7,500 * 0.22 = $1,650.
- 3 Your estimated annual daycare cost before tax savings is $18,200. After accounting for the $1,650 in DCFSA tax savings, your net annual cost for daycare is approximately $16,550. State income tax, where your state levies one, saves you more on top of that.
- 4 This example demonstrates how utilizing a DCFSA can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket child care expenses. It's important to factor in these tax benefits when comparing different child care options and planning your family budget.
Source: BLS · Last updated: September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost per month in 2026?
What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit?
Is a nanny or daycare cheaper?
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