How much childcare costs in New Jersey
Center-based infant care in New Jersey costs about $19,528 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,627 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $15,976, 13.5% 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 Jersey'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) | $15,976 | $19,528 | $10,156 | $12,414 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $15,616 | $19,088 | $10,329 | $12,626 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $15,616 | $19,088 | $9,669 | $11,819 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,156 a year for an infant in New Jersey (2022 data): $5,820, or 36% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in New Jersey
Morris County has the highest center-based infant price in New Jersey, $16,984 a year in 2022 data, and Camden County the lowest, $14,648: a gap of $2,336 a year (16% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County | $16,984 | $16,638 | $16,638 | $11,074 | $163,598 | 10.4% |
| Somerset County | $16,928 | $16,592 | $16,592 | $10,766 | $161,223 | 10.5% |
| Hudson County | $16,758 | $16,206 | $16,206 | $10,451 | $96,221 | 17.4% |
| Bergen County | $16,521 | $16,124 | $16,124 | $10,435 | $144,348 | 11.4% |
| Monmouth County | $16,352 | $15,973 | $15,973 | $10,566 | $150,040 | 10.9% |
| Middlesex County | $16,325 | $16,085 | $16,085 | $10,587 | $124,842 | 13.1% |
| Ocean County | $16,314 | $15,755 | $15,755 | $10,032 | $104,483 | 15.6% |
| Passaic County | $15,994 | $15,589 | $15,589 | $9,974 | $97,267 | 16.4% |
| Sussex County | $15,834 | $15,360 | $15,360 | $9,773 | $130,760 | 12.1% |
| Hunterdon County | $15,791 | $15,690 | $15,690 | $9,900 | $161,440 | 9.8% |
| Gloucester County | $15,789 | $15,303 | $15,303 | $9,838 | $121,675 | 13.0% |
| Burlington County | $15,770 | $15,893 | $15,893 | $10,282 | $122,708 | 12.9% |
| Union County | $15,543 | $15,396 | $15,396 | $10,108 | $115,612 | 13.4% |
| Essex County | $15,390 | $14,944 | $14,944 | $9,651 | $97,380 | 15.8% |
| Mercer County | $15,294 | $14,896 | $14,896 | $9,975 | $120,093 | 12.7% |
| Atlantic County | $14,907 | $14,459 | $14,459 | $9,371 | $91,891 | 16.2% |
| Cumberland County | $14,891 | $14,392 | $14,392 | $9,147 | $75,895 | 19.6% |
| Warren County | $14,870 | $14,441 | $14,441 | $9,529 | $113,083 | 13.1% |
| Salem County | $14,789 | $14,245 | $14,245 | $8,944 | $92,541 | 16.0% |
| Cape May County | $14,697 | $14,624 | $14,624 | $9,518 | $101,287 | 14.5% |
| Camden County | $14,648 | $14,320 | $14,320 | $9,429 | $102,893 | 14.2% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 21 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
- Delaware$1,263/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New York$1,565/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Pennsylvania$1,240/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how New Jersey compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in New Jersey per month?
Center-based infant care in New Jersey costs about $1,627 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,331 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,591 and preschool about $1,591 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,035. These are population-weighted averages across New Jersey's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in New Jersey?
Morris County has the highest center-based infant price in New Jersey, $16,984 a year in 2022 data, and Camden County the lowest, $14,648: a gap of $2,336 a year (16% 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 Jersey?
Center-based infant care takes about 13.5% of the median family income in New Jersey ($15,976 against $117,988, 2022 data), 1.9× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 28 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 9.8% in Hunterdon County to 19.6% in Cumberland County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for New Jersey). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)