Overview
- An analysis by LendingTree finds care for two children costs more than rent in 85 large metros, while infant care alone tops rent in 11 cities.
- Average monthly prices cited in the reports reach about $1,282 for full-time infant care and $2,252 for two children.
- Child Care Aware of America reports nearly a 30% increase in child care costs from 2020 to 2024, with shortages driving higher prices.
- Experts tell USA TODAY that New York City could build free care for ages 6 weeks to 5 years in roughly five years, estimating about $6 billion for the city and $14 billion-plus statewide.
- Implementing universal care would require expanding and better-paying the early education workforce, securing new revenue with state cooperation, and scaling beyond current subsidies that served about 174,000 children in 104,000 New York families in 2024.