Last verified: November 8, 2026. By Joe Bjorklund · How we check · Report an error
Key Takeaways
- Before school age, the city’s market rate for a day care center is $500 a week for a baby under 18 months, or $26,000 a year, and $439 a week for ages 3 to 5 (NYC Administration for Children’s Services, rates effective Oct. 1, 2024).
- Full-day 3-K and Pre-K are free for 3- and 4-year-olds, and breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals are free for all NYC public school students (NYC Public Schools).
- Feeding a child on the USDA’s moderate-cost plan runs $185.70 a month at age 1 and $304.70 at ages 6 to 8, U.S. averages for September 2026 (USDA).
- Child Health Plus is free for a family of four earning up to $73,260 a year and costs $15 to $60 a month per child up to $132,000, with no copays (NYS Department of Health).
- New York’s refundable Empire State child credit is $1,000 per child under 4 and $500 per child ages 4 to 16 for tax year 2026 (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance).
How much does childcare cost in NYC?
The NYC Administration for Children’s Services publishes the market rates used for subsidized child care in the city. For a licensed day care center, the weekly rate is $500 for a child under 18 months, $450 for 18 months to 2 years, $439 for ages 3 to 5 and $325 for school-age children (ACS, effective Oct. 1, 2024). Family day care and legally exempt in-home care cost less.
At $500 a week, a year of infant center care is $26,000, which is 40% of the $64,866 median income of NYC renter households in 2024 (NYC Rent Guidelines Board). Families with income up to 85% of state median income can qualify for city child care assistance, and since September 2026 the city has covered all out-of-pocket fees for those families (Office of the Mayor). Full details are in NYC childcare costs.
| Age and setting | Per week | Per year (×52) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1½ (center) | $500 | $26,000 |
| 1½ to 2 (center) | $450 | $23,400 |
| 3 to 5 (center) | $439 | $22,828 |
| 6 to 12 (center, school-age) | $325 | $16,900 |
| Under 2 (family day care) | $400 | $20,800 |
| Under 2 (legally exempt, in home) | $260 | $13,520 |
What is free for kids in NYC?
Several big costs are covered for NYC families. 3-K and Pre-K provide free, full-day early education for 3- and 4-year-olds (NYC Public Schools). New York City Public Schools serve free breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals to every public school student during the school year, and families do not need to apply or show income.
Eligible public school students get a Student OMNY card good for four free subway and bus rides a day, every day of the year, including weekends and summer (NYC Public Schools). Chalkbeat reported that the cards go to K–12 students who live at least half a mile from school.
| Benefit | What it covers | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3-K and Pre-K (ages 3 and 4) | Free, full day | NYC Public Schools |
| School breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals | Free for all NYC public school students, no application needed | NYC Public Schools |
| Student OMNY card | 4 free subway/bus rides a day, all year, for eligible K–12 students | NYC Public Schools |
| Child Health Plus | Free for a family of 4 earning up to $73,260; no copays | NYS Department of Health |
| Empire State child credit (2026) | $1,000 per child under 4; $500 per child 4 to 16; refundable | NYS DTF |
How much does it cost to feed a child in NYC?
The USDA’s food plans estimate the monthly cost of a nutritious diet prepared at home. In September 2026, the moderate-cost plan cost $185.70 a month for a 1-year-old, $221.50 for a 4- or 5-year-old and $304.70 for a child 6 to 8; for teen boys 14 to 19 it was $403.50 (USDA, individuals in four-person households). These are U.S. averages.
New York-area food-at-home prices rose 2.1% in the year to September 2026 (BLS). See NYC grocery prices for the local index and SNAP limits.
| Age | Thrifty | Moderate-cost | Liberal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $114.20 | $185.70 | $226.40 |
| 2–3 years | $172.50 | $207.20 | $252.10 |
| 4–5 years | $188.30 | $221.50 | $268.30 |
| 6–8 years | $209.10 | $304.70 | $357.20 |
| 9–11 years | $241.90 | $349.70 | $408.20 |
| 12–13, girl | $224.00 | $321.70 | $401.10 |
| 12–13, boy | $258.50 | $392.20 | $460.60 |
| 14–19, girl | $260.00 | $323.30 | $399.70 |
| 14–19, boy | $326.30 | $403.50 | $473.90 |
How much is health insurance for a child in New York?
Children under 19 who don’t qualify for Medicaid can enroll in Child Health Plus year-round. For applications from Feb. 17, 2026, coverage is free for a family of four with monthly income up to $6,105, and premiums rise in steps to $60 per child a month for families earning up to $11,000 a month; above that, families pay the plan’s full premium. Fees are capped at three children, and there are no copays (NYS Department of Health).
| Monthly family contribution | Monthly income up to | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $6,105 | $73,260 |
| $15 per child (max $45) | $6,875 | $82,500 |
| $30 per child (max $90) | $8,250 | $99,000 |
| $45 per child (max $135) | $9,625 | $115,500 |
| $60 per child (max $180) | $11,000 | $132,000 |
| Full premium (varies by plan) | Over $11,000 | Over $132,000 |
What tax credits help NYC parents?
New York’s Empire State child credit is refundable, so families get it even if they owe no tax. For tax year 2026 it is $1,000 for each child under 4 and $500 for each child 4 to under 17. It shrinks by $16.50 for every $1,000 of federal adjusted gross income above $110,000 for married couples filing jointly or $75,000 for single and head-of-household filers (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance). For tax year 2025 the amounts are $1,000 and $330.
For income tax rates and other credits, see NYC income tax, and for the income a family needs overall, see how much you need to make in NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost in NYC?
The city’s market rate for a licensed day care center is $500 a week for a baby under 18 months, or $26,000 a year, and $439 a week for ages 3 to 5, according to the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. Family day care costs $400 a week for children under 2. Free 3-K and Pre-K cover 3- and 4-year-olds.
Is school lunch free in NYC?
Yes. New York City Public Schools offer free breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals to every public school student during the school year, and families do not need to fill out an application or provide income information. Free breakfast and lunch are also offered at select schools, pools, parks and libraries over the summer, and the city made lunch free for all public school students in 2017.
Is Child Health Plus free in New York?
For many families, yes. Under 2026 income levels, Child Health Plus is free for a family of four earning up to $6,105 a month, about $73,260 a year. Families earning more pay $15 to $60 per child a month up to $11,000 a month, with fees capped at three children and no copays, according to the NYS Department of Health.
How much is the New York child tax credit?
New York’s Empire State child credit for tax year 2026 is $1,000 for each child under 4 and $500 for each child 4 to 16, and it is refundable. It phases down by $16.50 per $1,000 of federal AGI above $110,000 for joint filers and $75,000 for single filers, according to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
How much does it cost to feed a child per month?
The USDA’s moderate-cost food plan put the cost of feeding a child at $185.70 a month at age 1, $221.50 at ages 4 to 5 and $304.70 at ages 6 to 8 in September 2026. A teenage boy 14 to 19 cost $403.50. These are national averages for children in four-person households, not New York prices, so local grocery bills may differ.
Related: NYC childcare costs · NYC health insurance costs · NYC grocery prices · How much you need to make in NYC · NYC income tax · College costs for NYC students
Sources
- NYC Administration for Children’s Services, Child Care Market Rates, effective October 1, 2024 (form FS-023; Group 4 = New York City) (Oct 1, 2024)
- NYC Public Schools, 3-K for All (2026–27 school year)
- NYC Public Schools, Pre-K for All (2026–27 school year)
- Office of the Mayor of New York City, City will cover all out-of-pocket child care costs for families in the Child Care Assistance Program (Aug 13, 2026)
- NYC Public Schools, Food service for parents and students (free breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals) (accessed Nov 8, 2026)
- NYC Public Schools, School meals (summer meals sites) (accessed Nov 8, 2026)
- NYC Department of Education, Chancellor Fariña announces free school lunch for all (Sept 6, 2017)
- NYC Public Schools, Student OMNY cards (accessed Nov 8, 2026)
- Chalkbeat New York, NYC students to get free OMNY cards, allowing for year-round travel any time of day (eligibility) (July 25, 2024)
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home, September 2026 (Thrifty; Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost and Liberal) (Sept 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index, New York-Newark-Jersey City — September 2026 (Oct 14, 2026)
- NYS Department of Health, Child Health Plus: eligibility and cost (2026 federal poverty levels) (effective Feb 17, 2026)
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Empire State child credit (accessed Nov 8, 2026)
- NYC Rent Guidelines Board, 2026 Income and Affordability Study (2024 American Community Survey data) (Apr 16, 2026)