About the Childcare Cost Calculator
This childcare cost calculator turns an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly rate into the true monthly and yearly cost of care for your family. It works for daycare centers, in-home family daycares, nannies, nanny shares, au pairs and before- or after-school programs — enter the rate the way the provider quotes it and the schedule you need.
Parents comparing providers, planning a return to work or deciding whether a nanny is cheaper than daycare for two or more children can use it to see the numbers side by side. Add a sibling discount for each additional child, one-off registration or supply fees, and your Dependent Care FSA contribution to see the after-tax cost and what share of household income it takes.
The FSA estimate uses the US Dependent Care FSA limit of $7,500 per household that applies from 2026, multiplied by your combined marginal tax rate (federal, state and payroll). The US Department of Health and Human Services treats care costing no more than 7% of family income as affordable — a useful benchmark shown in the results.
With the default inputs, the monthly childcare cost is $1,420.83. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the childcare cost calculator
- 1Choose how your provider quotes the price — per hour, day, week or month — and enter the rate.
- 2Enter the hours or days per week and how many weeks a year you pay for.
- 3Set the number of children and any sibling discount, or tick “one rate covers all children” for a nanny.
- 4Add yearly fees plus your Dependent Care FSA contribution and marginal tax rate.
- 5Compare the monthly cost and income share across providers or care types.
Formula and method
The rate is first converted into a yearly cost for one child: hourly rate × hours per week × weeks, daily rate × days per week × weeks, weekly rate × weeks, or monthly rate × 12. Each additional child costs the same base amount minus the sibling discount, unless one rate covers all the children (typical for a nanny or au pair). Yearly fees are then added.
Monthly cost is the yearly total divided by 12 and weekly cost the total divided by 52. The Dependent Care FSA saving is the contribution (capped at the $7,500 household limit and at the actual cost) multiplied by your combined marginal tax rate. Income share compares the after-savings cost with gross household income.
- Base
- Yearly cost for the first child from the quoted rate
- n
- Number of children in care
- d
- Sibling discount for each additional child
- t
- Combined marginal tax rate
Worked examples
Daycare at $325 a week, one child
$325 × 52 weeks is $16,900 of tuition plus $150 in fees, or $17,050 a year — about $1,421 a month. On a $110,000 household income that is 15.5%, well above the 7% affordability benchmark.
Two kids at $80 a day with a 10% sibling discount and FSA
The first child costs $80 × 5 × 52 = $20,800 and the second $18,720 after the 10% discount. With $300 of fees the total is $39,820 a year, or $3,318 a month. A full $7,500 FSA at a 30% tax rate saves $2,250, bringing the net cost to $37,570.
Nanny at $22 an hour for two children
A nanny paid $22 an hour for 45 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, costs $51,480 — $4,290 a month — regardless of the number of children, or $25,740 per child. (Employer payroll taxes would add roughly 8–10% on top.)
Frequently asked questions
How much does childcare cost per month?+
It varies widely by state and type of care. Full-time center-based infant care often costs $1,000 to over $2,500 a month in the US, family daycares are usually cheaper, and a full-time nanny can cost $3,000–$5,000 a month or more.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare for two kids?+
Often yes once you have two or more young children, because a nanny’s rate covers all of them while daycare charges per child. Remember a nanny employer also pays payroll taxes and may provide paid time off.
What is the Dependent Care FSA limit for 2026?+
From 2026 the Dependent Care FSA limit is $7,500 per household per year ($3,750 if married filing separately), up from the $5,000 limit that applied for decades. Contributions are pre-tax, saving income and payroll taxes.
What is considered affordable childcare?+
The US Department of Health and Human Services uses a benchmark of 7% of household income for childcare to be considered affordable. Many families pay far more, especially for infants in high-cost areas.
Do daycares charge when my child is absent or on holiday?+
Most centers charge for a reserved spot whether or not your child attends, including holidays and sick days, which is why the default assumes 52 paid weeks. Some offer a vacation week credit — reduce the weeks to reflect it.
Can I claim the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit too?+
Yes, but you cannot use the same expenses for both. Costs paid with FSA money are excluded from the credit, so the credit can only apply to eligible expenses above what you ran through the FSA, up to the credit limits.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.