Childcare cost in California (2025 price-year)
Infant center-based care runs $21,945/year ($422/week), preschool $13,020/year. That's 18.4% of the typical CA household income.
| Infant (under 2), center-based | $21,945/yr ≈ $422/wk |
| Preschool (4yo) | $13,020/yr |
| % of median household income | 18.4% |
| US rank (cost, 51 metros) | #4 |
| US average infant cost | $14,802/yr |
Source: Child Care Aware of America cost survey (EPI lineage), 2025 price-year, compiled July 2026. Center-based means licensed center, not family/home provider (home care is typically 30–50% cheaper).
California vs the neighbors
| California | $21,945 | 18.4% of income |
| Colorado | $21,840 | 17.9% of income |
| Minnesota | $22,569 | 18.8% of income |
| Hawaii | $21,167 | 20% of income |
What actually lowers the bill
- Federal child-care tax credit: up to $3,000 per child (one child $5,500… for 2+), refundable-portion rules apply, the only direct federal relief.
- Employer dependent-care FSA: $5,000 per household pre-tax, stackable with the credit for a meaningful $667+ annual cut at CA tax rates.
- Child Care Development Fund subsidies in CA: sliding-scale eligibility commonly extends past 150% of the state median income for young children, check CA DHS/DCF "childcare subsidy".
- Structured alternatives: family home care ($30–50% cheaper), co-op share (1 educator shared across 3 families), university/lab-school slots with sibling discounts.
- Negotiation: infant rooms run highest per-child staffing ratios; moving to a toddler-room placement at 18–24 months typically drops CA prices 15–25%.
Frequently asked
How much does daycare cost in California?
$21,945 a year for an infant in a licensed center, about $422 a week, and 18.4% of a typical California household income. Preschool runs $13,020.
Is California expensive for childcare?
#4 of 51 metros on infant cost. The US average is $14,802. It's among the priciest states.
How does daycare cost in California compare to salary?
At 18.4% of median household income for one infant, a two-parent household paying full price pays more than most car payments for one child. Use the break-even calculator for the stay-home side of the math.