Child care in California isn't one market – it's 58 of them. The statewide average price for child care in California is $15,655 per year across all children under age 5. While this figure may serve as a useful benchmark, it only tells a part of the story. The gap between what a provider charges for infant care in San Francisco County and what one charges in Imperial County is nearly $25,000 a year, and that kind of variation means the real pricing work happens at a more local level.

Whether you're opening a new program, revisiting your rates for the coming year, or simply trying to understand where you stand in your local market, this county-by-county breakdown covers all California counties by center type (center-based vs. home-based) and child age (infant, toddler, and preschool). Families researching what to expect will find the same data useful. All figures are adjusted to 2026 dollars using data from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, so the numbers reflect what the market looks like today.

Looking for ways to streamline your California child care or daycare business and improve your bottom line? Consider booking a free demo with Playground.

How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in California

Setting tuition is one of the harder business decisions a child care provider will make. Price too high and you price out the families you're trying to serve; price too low and you can't cover your costs or pay your staff what they're worth. Getting it right means knowing what the market around you actually looks like..

Real and current child care tuition prices can help child care providers accurately and competitively price their services to strike a balance between profitability and affordability for families. Keep in mind that the appropriate prices for your specific child care business will largely depend on a variety of circumstantial factors such as your location, competition, services offered, overhead, and more. For more guidance on how to accurately price your child care or daycare services, check out Playground’s child care tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in California by Center Type and Age

Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.

Most Expensive Counties in California for Child Care

These are the top 10 most expensive counties in California for child care prices, ranked by the average annual cost of child care in 2026 dollars across both center types (center- and home-based) and all ages (infant, toddler, preschooler). A more detailed breakdown of costs by center type and age for each county can be found below.

1. San Francisco County: $27,296

2. Marin County: $25,778

3. San Mateo County: $25,528

4. Santa Clara County: $23,630

5. Alameda County: $23,455

6. Contra Costa County: $21,651

7. Santa Cruz County: $21,445

8. Placer County: $20,360

9. Santa Barbara County: $19,863

10. El Dorado County: $19,592

Least Expensive Counties in California for Child Care

These are the top 10 least expensive counties in California for child care prices, ranked by the average annual cost of child care in 2026 dollars across both center types (center- and home-based) and all ages (infant, toddler, preschooler). A more detailed breakdown of costs by center type and age for each county can be found below.

1. Imperial County: $11,286

2. Modoc County: $11,407

3. Sierra County: $11,407

4. Glenn County: $11,696

5. Tehama County: $11,851

6. Amador County: $11,982

7. Lassen County: $12,031

8. Plumas County: $12,031

9. Del Norte County: $12,042

10. Kings County: $12,090

Average Child Care Costs in California by County

Counties are listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2026 dollars based on the center type and child age.

1. Alameda County

   • Infant, center-based care: $31,393

   • Infant, home-based care: $21,946

   • Toddler, center-based care: $22,577

   • Toddler, home-based care: $18,947

   • Preschool, center-based care: $24,847

   • Preschool, home-based care: $21,017

2. Alpine County

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,659

   • Infant, home-based care: $12,290

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,333

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,140

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,213

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,140

3. Amador County

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,298

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,150

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,331

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,451

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,851

   • Preschool, home-based care: $11,810

4. Butte County

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,544

   • Infant, home-based care: $17,712

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,162

   • Toddler, home-based care: $14,737

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,898

   • Preschool, home-based care: $13,684

5. Calaveras County

   • Infant, center-based care: $17,706

   • Infant, home-based care: $14,835

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,940

   • Toddler, home-based care: $13,327

   • Preschool, center-based care: $9,887

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,515

6. Colusa County

   • Infant, center-based care: $16,112

   • Infant, home-based care: $14,605

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,228

   • Toddler, home-based care: $13,343

   • Preschool, center-based care: $9,297

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,528

7. Contra Costa County

   • Infant, center-based care: $29,317

   • Infant, home-based care: $19,388

   • Toddler, center-based care: $21,041

   • Toddler, home-based care: $17,543

   • Preschool, center-based care: $23,156

   • Preschool, home-based care: $19,460

8. Del Norte County

   • Infant, center-based care: $13,656

   • Infant, home-based care: $14,036

   • Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,794

   • Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

   • Preschool, home-based care: $11,880

9. El Dorado County

   • Infant, center-based care: $27,380

   • Infant, home-based care: $22,627

   • Toddler, center-based care: $17,657

   • Toddler, home-based care: $18,594

   • Preschool, center-based care: $13,853

   • Preschool, home-based care: $17,445

10. Fresno County

• Infant, center-based care: $25,290

• Infant, home-based care: $17,955

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,201

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,247

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,350

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,229

11. Glenn County

• Infant, center-based care: $14,495

• Infant, home-based care: $12,821

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,070

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,732

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,167

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,894

12. Humboldt County

• Infant, center-based care: $22,286

• Infant, home-based care: $15,372

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,089

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,379

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,666

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,423

13. Imperial County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,496

• Infant, home-based care: $11,542

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,679

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,252

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,810

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,939

14. Inyo County

• Infant, center-based care: $21,959

• Infant, home-based care: $15,144

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,937

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,379

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,712

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,423

15. Kern County

• Infant, center-based care: $21,459

• Infant, home-based care: $14,457

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,540

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,383

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,606

16. Kings County

• Infant, center-based care: $15,853

• Infant, home-based care: $13,263

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,216

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,884

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,287

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,035

17. Lake County

• Infant, center-based care: $15,908

• Infant, home-based care: $14,109

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,936

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,884

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,857

18. Lassen County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,656

• Infant, home-based care: $14,006

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,773

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,862

19. Los Angeles County

• Infant, center-based care: $15,638

• Infant, home-based care: $17,304

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,434

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,008

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,690

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,492

20. Madera County

• Infant, center-based care: $20,173

• Infant, home-based care: $14,355

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,456

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,806

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,487

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,891

21. Marin County

• Infant, center-based care: $33,356

• Infant, home-based care: $23,867

• Toddler, center-based care: $23,959

• Toddler, home-based care: $22,338

• Preschool, center-based care: $26,369

• Preschool, home-based care: $24,777

22. Mariposa County

• Infant, center-based care: $15,475

• Infant, home-based care: $14,101

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,177

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,822

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,255

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,907

23. Mendocino County

• Infant, center-based care: $16,920

• Infant, home-based care: $14,582

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,335

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,908

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,214

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,211

24. Merced County

• Infant, center-based care: $14,880

• Infant, home-based care: $14,038

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,128

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,316

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,042

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,598

25. Modoc County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,656

• Infant, home-based care: $12,504

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,612

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,782

26. Mono County

• Infant, center-based care: $22,512

• Infant, home-based care: $17,970

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,629

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,471

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,213

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,823

27. Monterey County

• Infant, center-based care: $24,520

• Infant, home-based care: $19,391

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,351

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,470

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,026

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,441

28. Napa County

• Infant, center-based care: $22,945

• Infant, home-based care: $15,968

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,085

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,247

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,496

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,247

29. Nevada County

• Infant, center-based care: $19,272

• Infant, home-based care: $13,274

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,935

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,576

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,231

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,576

30. Orange County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,958

• Infant, home-based care: $18,254

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,141

• Toddler, home-based care: $17,001

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,447

• Preschool, home-based care: $17,001

31. Placer County

• Infant, center-based care: $27,317

• Infant, home-based care: $23,688

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,044

• Toddler, home-based care: $20,097

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,158

• Preschool, home-based care: $18,855

32. Plumas County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,656

• Infant, home-based care: $14,006

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,773

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,862

33. Riverside County

• Infant, center-based care: $24,625

• Infant, home-based care: $14,067

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,492

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,110

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,485

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,409

34. Sacramento County

• Infant, center-based care: $21,110

• Infant, home-based care: $14,722

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,472

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,852

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,446

35. San Benito County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,488

• Infant, home-based care: $14,415

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,044

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,948

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,456

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,363

36. San Bernardino County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,382

• Infant, home-based care: $16,480

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,471

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,537

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,528

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,609

37. San Diego County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,075

• Infant, home-based care: $15,266

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,382

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,487

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,763

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,487

38. San Francisco County

• Infant, center-based care: $36,913

• Infant, home-based care: $24,059

• Toddler, center-based care: $26,376

• Toddler, home-based care: $22,473

• Preschool, center-based care: $29,029

• Preschool, home-based care: $24,927

39. San Joaquin County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,531

• Infant, home-based care: $19,962

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,381

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,801

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,265

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,751

40. San Luis Obispo County

• Infant, center-based care: $21,984

• Infant, home-based care: $14,970

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,089

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,734

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,578

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,023

41. San Mateo County

• Infant, center-based care: $33,745

• Infant, home-based care: $22,821

• Toddler, center-based care: $24,170

• Toddler, home-based care: $21,728

• Preschool, center-based care: $26,603

• Preschool, home-based care: $24,101

42. Santa Barbara County

• Infant, center-based care: $27,538

• Infant, home-based care: $22,091

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,806

• Toddler, home-based care: $18,586

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,733

• Preschool, home-based care: $17,426

43. Santa Clara County

• Infant, center-based care: $32,077

• Infant, home-based care: $21,959

• Toddler, center-based care: $22,676

• Toddler, home-based care: $19,016

• Preschool, center-based care: $24,958

• Preschool, home-based care: $21,093

44. Santa Cruz County

• Infant, center-based care: $29,019

• Infant, home-based care: $24,809

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,825

• Toddler, home-based care: $20,360

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $19,102

45. Shasta County

• Infant, center-based care: $15,107

• Infant, home-based care: $12,688

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,084

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,564

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,043

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,803

46. Sierra County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,656

• Infant, home-based care: $12,504

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,612

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,782

47. Siskiyou County

• Infant, center-based care: $16,151

• Infant, home-based care: $11,658

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,404

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,034

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,444

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,822

48. Solano County

• Infant, center-based care: $25,780

• Infant, home-based care: $22,326

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,557

• Toddler, home-based care: $18,484

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,993

• Preschool, home-based care: $17,341

49. Sonoma County

• Infant, center-based care: $14,800

• Infant, home-based care: $17,413

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,182

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,113

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,415

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,593

50. Stanislaus County

• Infant, center-based care: $19,249

• Infant, home-based care: $18,512

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,716

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,407

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,734

51. Sutter County

• Infant, center-based care: $18,661

• Infant, home-based care: $13,364

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,971

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,354

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,088

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,610

52. Tehama County

• Infant, center-based care: $14,348

• Infant, home-based care: $13,482

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,049

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,967

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,149

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,112

53. Trinity County

• Infant, center-based care: $13,656

• Infant, home-based care: $14,759

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,878

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,945

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,008

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,021

54. Tulare County

• Infant, center-based care: $14,621

• Infant, home-based care: $14,983

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,618

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,358

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,543

55. Tuolumne County

• Infant, center-based care: $16,395

• Infant, home-based care: $14,647

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,614

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,293

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,853

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,609

56. Ventura County

• Infant, center-based care: $25,844

• Infant, home-based care: $15,921

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,542

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,381

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,205

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,951

57. Yolo County

• Infant, center-based care: $23,563

• Infant, home-based care: $15,831

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,125

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,370

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,975

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,674

58. Yuba County

• Infant, center-based care: $22,219

• Infant, home-based care: $16,638

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,341

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,668

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,840

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,689

Data and Methodology

The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the latest data from the National Database of Childcare Prices, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).