How much childcare costs in Connecticut
Center-based infant care in Connecticut costs about $22,497 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,875 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $18,405, 16.0% of the median family income and 2.3× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Connecticut's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $18,405 | $22,497 | $13,200 | $16,135 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $18,405 | $22,497 | $12,970 | $15,854 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $14,190 | $17,345 | $12,970 | $15,854 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $13,200 a year for an infant in Connecticut (2022 data): $5,205, or 28% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Connecticut
Fairfield County has the highest center-based infant price in Connecticut, $22,100 a year in 2022 data, and New London County, Tolland County and Windham County the lowest, $15,080: a gap of $7,020 a year (47% higher).
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | $22,100 | $22,100 | $15,912 | $15,600 | $135,703 | 16.3% |
| 2 countiesMiddlesex County, New Haven County | $18,200 | $18,200 | $14,820 | $13,000 | $105,016 to $128,173 | 14.2 to 17.3% |
| Hartford County | $17,160 | $17,160 | $13,000 | $12,480 | $110,572 | 15.5% |
| Litchfield County | $16,120 | $16,120 | $13,260 | $13,520 | $113,262 | 14.2% |
| 3 countiesNew London County, Tolland County, Windham County | $15,080 | $15,080 | $12,220 | $10,400 | $95,168 to $124,127 | 12.1 to 15.8% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. None of these center-based infant prices is flagged as estimated in the federal file. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Massachusetts$2,331/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New York$1,565/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Rhode Island$1,552/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Connecticut compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Connecticut per month?
Center-based infant care in Connecticut costs about $1,875 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,534 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,875 and preschool about $1,445 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,345. These are population-weighted averages across Connecticut's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Connecticut?
Fairfield County has the highest center-based infant price in Connecticut, $22,100 a year in 2022 data, and New London County, Tolland County and Windham County the lowest, $15,080: a gap of $7,020 a year (47% higher).
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Connecticut?
Center-based infant care takes about 16.0% of the median family income in Connecticut ($18,405 against $115,183, 2022 data), 2.3× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 10 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 12.1% in Tolland County to 17.3% in New Haven County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Connecticut). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)