Child Care Is So Expensive—If I Didn’t Rent My Home, I Don’t Know If I’d Be Able to Afford It

['Hilarey Gould', 'Hilarey Gould Has Over A Decade Of Journalism Experience', 'With Expertise In Editing', 'Content Strategy', 'Social Media', 'More. She Is Currently A Full-Time Senior Editorial Director Of Financial Products', 'Services At Investopedia. Hilarey Has Held Editorial Roles At Bankrate', 'Smartasset', "Realtor.Com. She Has A Master'S In Journalism The University Of Missouri.", 'Learn About Our'] Investopedia | Expert Financial Advice and Markets News 2025-09-24 03:54:32

Key Takeaways Child care costs range from about $6,250 to over $50,000 per year, depending on where you live and the type of care. Whether you’re currently a parent, a soon-to-be parent, or even just a dog parent, one thing is certain across the United States: Child care is expensive. So if it feels like you’re paying more now than ever for child care, it’s because you are. So, How Does Anyone Afford Child Care? Studies show that average child care costs can add up to more than 19% of your monthly take-home pay.