How much childcare costs in New Hampshire
Center-based infant care in New Hampshire costs about $18,745 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,562 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $15,335, 13.6% of the median family income and 1.9× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across New Hampshire'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) | $15,335 | $18,745 | $10,555 | $12,902 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $14,543 | $17,777 | $9,823 | $12,007 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $12,749 | $15,584 | $9,823 | $12,007 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,555 a year for an infant in New Hampshire (2022 data): $4,780, or 31% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in New Hampshire
Rockingham County has the highest center-based infant price in New Hampshire, $15,999 a year in 2022 data, and Coos County the lowest, $13,992: a gap of $2,007 a year (14% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | $15,999 | $15,177 | $13,302 | $11,004 | $131,600 | 12.2% |
| Hillsborough County | $15,603 | $14,800 | $12,972 | $10,734 | $118,936 | 13.1% |
| Strafford County | $15,098 | $14,319 | $12,552 | $10,394 | $112,051 | 13.5% |
| Belknap County | $14,955 | $14,177 | $12,432 | $10,305 | $101,175 | 14.8% |
| Merrimack County | $14,926 | $14,155 | $12,409 | $10,275 | $110,587 | 13.5% |
| Sullivan County | $14,861 | $14,086 | $12,353 | $10,246 | $91,299 | 16.3% |
| Cheshire County | $14,803 | $14,034 | $12,306 | $10,199 | $98,415 | 15.0% |
| Grafton County | $14,785 | $14,020 | $12,292 | $10,181 | $99,902 | 14.8% |
| Carroll County | $14,327 | $13,586 | $11,911 | $9,866 | $94,101 | 15.2% |
| Coos County | $13,992 | $13,255 | $11,629 | $9,661 | $74,857 | 18.7% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 10 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Maine$1,238/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Massachusetts$2,331/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Vermont$1,754/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how New Hampshire compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in New Hampshire per month?
Center-based infant care in New Hampshire costs about $1,562 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,278 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,481 and preschool about $1,299 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,075. These are population-weighted averages across New Hampshire's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in New Hampshire?
Rockingham County has the highest center-based infant price in New Hampshire, $15,999 a year in 2022 data, and Coos County the lowest, $13,992: a gap of $2,007 a year (14% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in New Hampshire?
Center-based infant care takes about 13.6% of the median family income in New Hampshire ($15,335 against $112,950, 2022 data), 1.9× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 27 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 12.2% in Rockingham County to 18.7% in Coos County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for New Hampshire). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)