How much childcare costs in Hawaii
Center-based infant care in Hawaii costs about $21,132 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,761 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $17,288, 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 the 4 of Hawaii's 5 counties with a price 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) | $17,288 | $21,132 | $10,196 | $12,463 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $12,629 | $15,437 | $10,160 | $12,419 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $12,629 | $15,437 | $10,160 | $12,419 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,196 a year for an infant in Hawaii (2022 data): $7,092, or 41% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Hawaii
Honolulu County has the highest center-based infant price in Hawaii, $19,020 a year in 2022 data, and Hawaii County the lowest, $10,500: a gap of $8,520 a year (81% higher).
The federal file has a center-based infant price for 4 of Hawaii's 5 counties in 2022. The state figures above average only those counties.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | $19,020 | $13,680 | $13,680 | $10,800 | $117,769 | 16.2% |
| Kalawao County | $16,800 | $10,200 | $10,200 | $9,120 | $87,715 | 19.2% |
| Maui County | $15,000 | $9,900 | $9,900 | $8,700 | $107,660 | 13.9% |
| Hawaii County | $10,500 | $9,600 | $9,600 | $8,400 | $90,234 | 11.6% |
| Kauai County | n/a | $9,600 | $9,600 | $9,000 | $102,083 | n/a |
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.
States with similar prices
See how Hawaii compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Hawaii per month?
Center-based infant care in Hawaii costs about $1,761 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,441 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,286 and preschool about $1,286 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,039. These are population-weighted averages across the 4 of Hawaii's 5 counties with a price; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Hawaii?
Honolulu County has the highest center-based infant price in Hawaii, $19,020 a year in 2022 data, and Hawaii County the lowest, $10,500: a gap of $8,520 a year (81% higher).
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Hawaii?
Center-based infant care takes about 16.0% of the median family income in Hawaii ($17,288 against $108,285, 2022 data), 2.3× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 11 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 11.6% in Hawaii County to 19.2% in Kalawao County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Hawaii). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)