How much childcare costs in Massachusetts
Center-based infant care in Massachusetts costs about $27,966 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $2,331 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $22,879, 19.0% of the median family income and 2.7× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Massachusetts'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) | $22,879 | $27,966 | $14,156 | $17,304 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $20,406 | $24,943 | $12,996 | $15,886 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $15,892 | $19,426 | $12,071 | $14,755 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $14,156 a year for an infant in Massachusetts (2022 data): $8,723, or 38% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Massachusetts
Suffolk County has the highest center-based infant price in Massachusetts, $30,680 a year in 2022 data, and Berkshire County, Franklin County and 2 other counties the lowest, $17,160: a gap of $13,520 a year (79% higher).
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County | $30,680 | $25,639 | $18,200 | $16,640 | $102,723 | 29.9% |
| Norfolk County | $28,860 | $27,040 | $21,840 | $19,227 | $155,932 | 18.5% |
| 2 countiesEssex County, Middlesex County | $24,001 | $21,242 | $16,120 | $13,000 | $118,261 to $153,239 | 15.7 to 20.3% |
| Worcester County | $20,296 | $18,200 | $14,820 | $13,000 | $112,544 | 18.0% |
| 5 countiesBarnstable County, Bristol County, Dukes County, Nantucket County, Plymouth County | $18,304 | $16,640 | $14,040 | $14,300 | $103,265 to $144,198 | 12.7 to 17.7% |
| 4 countiesBerkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County | $17,160 | $15,668 | $11,973 | $11,700 | $85,009 to $113,402 | 15.1 to 20.2% |
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
- Connecticut$1,875/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New Hampshire$1,562/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New York$1,565/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Rhode Island$1,552/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Vermont$1,754/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Massachusetts compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Massachusetts per month?
Center-based infant care in Massachusetts costs about $2,331 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,907 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $2,079 and preschool about $1,619 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,442. These are population-weighted averages across Massachusetts's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Massachusetts?
Suffolk County has the highest center-based infant price in Massachusetts, $30,680 a year in 2022 data, and Berkshire County, Franklin County and 2 other counties the lowest, $17,160: a gap of $13,520 a year (79% higher).
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Massachusetts?
Center-based infant care takes about 19.0% of the median family income in Massachusetts ($22,879 against $120,263, 2022 data), 2.7× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 1 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 12.7% in Nantucket County to 29.9% in Suffolk County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Massachusetts). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)