How much childcare costs in New York
Center-based infant care in New York costs about $18,783 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,565 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $15,366, 15.5% of the median family income and 2.2× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across New York'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) | $15,366 | $18,783 | $12,692 | $15,514 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $14,305 | $17,486 | $11,764 | $14,380 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $13,382 | $16,358 | $11,054 | $13,512 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $12,692 a year for an infant in New York (2022 data): $2,674, or 17% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in New York
Nassau County, Putnam County and 3 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in New York, $16,900 a year in 2022 data, and Allegany County, Broome County and 36 other counties the lowest, $12,844: a gap of $4,056 a year (32% higher).
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 countiesNassau County, Putnam County, Rockland County, Suffolk County, Westchester County | $16,900 | $15,600 | $15,236 | $15,600 | $125,645 to $159,334 | 10.6 to 13.5% |
| 5 countiesBronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County | $15,600 | $14,404 | $13,468 | $13,000 | $56,539 to $131,344 | 11.9 to 27.6% |
9 countiesColumbia County, Erie County, Monroe County, Onondaga County, Ontario County, Rensselaer County, Schenectady County, Tompkins County, Warren County | $15,028 | $14,300 | $13,260 | $10,400 | $92,038 to $106,005 | 14.2 to 16.3% |
| 5 countiesAlbany County, Dutchess County, Orange County, Saratoga County, Ulster County | $14,820 | $14,300 | $13,208 | $11,960 | $104,189 to $121,420 | 12.2 to 14.2% |
38 countiesAllegany County, Broome County, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Chemung County, Chenango County, Clinton County, Cortland County, Delaware County, Essex County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Genesee County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Herkimer County, Jefferson County, Lewis County, Livingston County, Madison County, Montgomery County, Niagara County, Oneida County, Orleans County, Oswego County, Otsego County, Schoharie County, Schuyler County, Seneca County, St. Lawrence County, Steuben County, Sullivan County, Tioga County, Washington County, Wayne County, Wyoming County, Yates County | $12,844 | $11,960 | $10,400 | $9,880 | $71,132 to $90,989 | 14.1 to 18.1% |
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.
- Massachusetts$2,331/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New Jersey$1,627/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Pennsylvania$1,240/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Vermont$1,754/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how New York compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in New York per month?
Center-based infant care in New York costs about $1,565 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,281 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,457 and preschool about $1,363 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,293. These are population-weighted averages across New York's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in New York?
Nassau County, Putnam County and 3 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in New York, $16,900 a year in 2022 data, and Allegany County, Broome County and 36 other counties the lowest, $12,844: a gap of $4,056 a year (32% higher).
How much of a family's income does childcare take in New York?
Center-based infant care takes about 15.5% of the median family income in New York ($15,366 against $99,066, 2022 data), 2.2× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 15 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 10.6% in Nassau County to 27.6% in Bronx County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for New York). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)