How much childcare costs in Washington, DC
Center-based infant care in Washington, DC costs about $31,146 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $2,595 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $25,480, 17.4% of the median family income and 2.5× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across the District 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) | $25,480 | $31,146 | $20,800 | $25,425 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $23,431 | $28,641 | $20,449 | $24,996 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $20,410 | $24,948 | $19,149 | $23,407 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $20,800 a year for an infant in Washington, DC (2022 data): $4,680, or 18% less than a center.
DC vs nearby Maryland and Virginia counties
Annual prices in 2022 data. Of these, Prince George's County, Maryland has the lowest center-based infant price, $17,024, against $25,480 in the District.
| Place | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $25,480 | $23,431 | $20,410 | $20,800 | $146,477 | 17.4% |
| Montgomery County, Maryland† | $21,533 | $17,457 | $17,457 | $14,957 | $152,137 | 14.2% |
| Prince George's County, Maryland† | $17,024 | $12,001 | $12,001 | $12,525 | $115,235 | 14.8% |
| Arlington County, Virginia† | $29,086 | $25,808 | $25,808 | $19,996 | $188,191 | 15.5% |
| Fairfax County, Virginia† | $17,959 | $14,996 | $15,970 | $13,527 | $172,110 | 10.4% |
| Alexandria City, Virginia† | $23,540 | $22,063 | $22,063 | $15,581 | $149,526 | 15.7% |
† Estimated by the Department of Labor. Maryland: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile. Virginia: extrapolated from the state's 2018 survey using price changes in similar counties. Figures are median prices, not quotes.
Neighboring states
See how Washington, DC compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Washington, DC per month?
Center-based infant care in Washington, DC costs about $2,595 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($2,123 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $2,387 and preschool about $2,079 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $2,119.
Is childcare cheaper in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs?
Mostly, yes. Center-based infant care in the District costs $25,480 a year in 2022 data. Montgomery County $21,533, Prince George's County $17,024, Arlington County $29,086, Fairfax County $17,959, Alexandria City $23,540. The lowest of these is Prince George's County, Maryland at $17,024. Maryland and Virginia county prices for 2022 are Department of Labor estimates.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Washington, DC?
Center-based infant care takes about 17.4% of the median family income in Washington, DC ($25,480 against $146,477, 2022 data), 2.5× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 6 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Washington, DC). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)