Last verified: November 8, 2026. By Joe Bjorklund · How we check · Report an error
Key Takeaways
- New York State’s child care market rate for an infant under 1½ at a New York City day care center is $500 a week, or $26,000 a year, effective October 1, 2024 (NYC Administration for Children’s Services; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: weekly × 52).
- That is about 40% of the $64,866 median income of a New York City renter household (NYC Rent Guidelines Board; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
- Family and group family day care costs less: $400 a week for a child under 2, or $20,800 a year, at the New York City market rate (ACS).
- 3-K and Pre-K are free in New York City public programs, with school-day seats of 6 hours 20 minutes from September to June (NYC Public Schools).
- Since September 2026 the city has covered all out-of-pocket fees for about 22,000 families in the Child Care Assistance Program, whose income limit rose to 85% of state median income, about $114,000 for a family of four (Office of the Mayor).
How much does daycare cost in NYC?
New York State publishes child care market rates by region, age and type of care, and New York City is its own region (Group 4). For a licensed day care center in the city, the market rate is $500 a week for a child under 1½, $450 for a child 1½ to 2, and $439 for a child 3 to 5, effective October 1, 2024, according to the NYC Administration for Children’s Services.
At 52 weeks a year, infant care at the center rate comes to $26,000, about 40% of the $64,866 median income of a New York City renter household in 2024 (NYC Rent Guidelines Board; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation). The daily center rate for an infant is $102, and the part-day rate is $68 (ACS).
| Child’s age | Weekly rate | Annual (× 52) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1½ years | $500 | $26,000 |
| 1½ to 2 years | $450 | $23,400 |
| 3 to 5 years | $439 | $22,828 |
| 6 to 12 years (school-age) | $325 | $16,900 |
Is home-based daycare cheaper in NYC?
Yes. The New York City market rate for family and group family day care, which licensed or registered providers run in a home, is $400 a week for a child under 2, $350 for a 2-year-old and $325 for a child 3 to 5, according to ACS. For an infant that is $20,800 a year, $5,200 less than the center rate (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation).
Legally exempt in-home care has the lowest New York City market rates: $260 a week for a child under 2 and $211 for a child 3 to 5 (ACS).
| Child’s age | Weekly rate | Annual (× 52) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | $400 | $20,800 |
| 2 years | $350 | $18,200 |
| 3 to 5 years | $325 | $16,900 |
| 6 to 12 years (school-age) | $289 | $15,028 |
| Child’s age | Weekly rate | Annual (× 52) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 years | $260 | $13,520 |
| 2 years | $228 | $11,856 |
| 3 to 5 years | $211 | $10,972 |
| 6 to 12 years (school-age) | $188 | $9,776 |
Is 3-K and Pre-K free in NYC?
Yes. 3-K and Pre-K are free for New York City families, according to NYC Public Schools. School-day seats run 6 hours and 20 minutes a day on the public school calendar, September to June. For the 2026–27 school year, 3-K was for children born in 2023 and Pre-K for children born in 2022.
Applications for 2026–27 ran from January 14 to February 27, 2026, online through MySchools or by phone at 718-935-2009.
| Program | Who it is for | Cost to family | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-K | Children born in 2023 (for 2026–27) | Free | 6 hours 20 minutes a day, September to June |
| Pre-K | Children born in 2022 (for 2026–27) | Free | 6 hours 20 minutes a day, September to June |
| 2-K (new) | Two-year-olds, in high-need areas first | Free | Full day, full year |
| Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) | Ages 6 weeks to 13 (19 with a disability); income up to 85% of state median | City covers out-of-pocket fees from Sept 2026 | Depends on provider |
Can you get help paying for child care in NYC?
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) pays for care for children from 6 weeks to 13 years old, or 19 with a disability. In January 2026 the city and state raised its income limit to 85% of state median income, about $114,000 for a family of four, and capped most family fees at $15 a week, according to the Office of the Mayor.
From September 2026 the city began covering all remaining out-of-pocket fees for about 22,000 families enrolled in CCAP, at a cost of about $5.2 million a year, so care is free for them (Office of the Mayor, Aug 13, 2026).
The city’s new 2-K program for two-year-olds offers free full-day, full-year seats, starting in high-need neighborhoods. It drew more than 5,700 applications, nearly three times the seats available, and the city plans to reach all interested families by the program’s fourth year (Office of the Mayor).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost per month in NYC?
At New York’s child care market rate for New York City, a day care center costs $500 a week for an infant under 1½, about $2,167 a month, and $439 a week for a child 3 to 5, about $1,902 a month (NYC ACS, effective Oct 1, 2024; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: weekly × 52 ÷ 12). Home-based family day care runs $400 a week for a child under 2.
How much is infant care in NYC per year?
About $26,000 a year at a New York City day care center, based on the $500 weekly market rate for a child under 1½ (NYC Administration for Children’s Services; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation). Licensed family day care costs about $20,800 a year at the $400 weekly rate. Rates at individual providers can be higher or lower.
Is 3-K free in NYC?
Yes. 3-K and Pre-K are free in New York City, according to NYC Public Schools, with school-day seats of 6 hours and 20 minutes from September to June. For 2026–27, 3-K served children born in 2023 and Pre-K served children born in 2022. Families apply through MySchools or by calling 718-935-2009.
Who qualifies for free child care in NYC?
Families with income up to 85% of state median income, about $114,000 for a family of four, can qualify for the Child Care Assistance Program, according to the Office of the Mayor. Since September 2026 the city covers all out-of-pocket fees for enrolled families. 3-K and Pre-K are free regardless of income, and 2-K is free in participating areas.
How much of a NYC salary goes to child care?
Infant care at the New York City center market rate of $500 a week costs $26,000 a year, about 40% of the $64,866 median income of a New York City renter household in 2024 (NYC ACS; NYC Rent Guidelines Board; NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation). Home-based family day care at $400 a week costs about $20,800 a year.
Related: How much it costs to live in NYC · How much you need to make · NYC salary calculator · NYC health insurance costs · NYC grocery prices · Cost of raising a child in NYC · NYC cost index
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, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul to launch free child care for two-year-olds (CCAP eligibility to 85% of state median income) (Jan 8, 2026)
- 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 Rent Guidelines Board, 2026 Income and Affordability Study (2024 American Community Survey data) (Apr 16, 2026)