Massachusetts has one of the highest costs of living in the country, and child care tuition rates largely reflect expenses for rent, taxes, food, and other essentials required to operate a center. In 2026, the average annual tuition for child care in Massachusetts is $17,414, with costs across the state ranging from $12,171 to $35,902. 

These differences depend on factors such as location, the child’s age, and whether care is provided in a home-based or commercial setting. As a child care director in Massachusetts, a good start to setting your rates involves benchmarking against similar local providers. Pricing competitively helps keep your enrollment strong and ensures long-term profitability for your business.

Looking for simple ways to streamline your Massachusetts child care or daycare business? Book a free demo with Playground.

How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Massachusetts

Pricing your child care services is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. Set your rates too high, and you risk empty enrollment slots and lost revenue. Set them too low, and you may end up with a lengthy waitlist while struggling to cover costs.

The right price points and structure depend on several factors unique to your program, including your specific location in Massachusetts, local competition, the number of young families in the area, cultural norms, overhead costs, and more. For a complete guide to assessing and setting your own tuition rates, check out Playground’s child care tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts for Child Care

Norfolk County has the highest average child care tuition costs across all care and center types at $25,606. The top five most expensive counties in Massachusetts for child care include:

1. Norfolk County: $25,606

2. Suffolk County: $23,155

3. Essex County: $18,865

4. Middlesex County: $18,865

5. Worcester County: $17,828

Least Expensive Counties in Massachusetts for Child Care

Four counties are tied for the lowest child care tuition in Massachusetts as of 2026, with the lowest average cost across care and center types coming in at $15,107.

1. Berkshire County: $15,107

2. Franklin County: $15,107

3. Hampden County: $15,107

4. Hampshire County: $15,107

5. Barnstable County: $17,414

6. Bristol County: $17,414

7. Dukes County: $17,414

8. Nantucket County: $17,414

9. Plymouth County: $17,414

10. Worcester County: $17,828

Average Child Care Costs in Massachusetts 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. Barnstable

   • Average child care tuition: $17,414

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,420

   • Infant, home-based care: $16,734

   • Toddler, center-based care: $19,473

   • Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

   • Preschool, center-based care: $16,429

   • Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

2. Berkshire

   • Average child care tuition: $15,107

   • Infant, center-based care: $20,080

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,691

   • Toddler, center-based care: $18,335

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,353

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,011

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

3. Bristol

   • Average child care tuition: $17,414

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,420

   • Infant, home-based care: $16,734

   • Toddler, center-based care: $19,473

   • Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

   • Preschool, center-based care: $16,429

   • Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

4. Dukes

   • Average child care tuition: $17,414

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,420

   • Infant, home-based care: $16,734

   • Toddler, center-based care: $19,473

   • Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

   • Preschool, center-based care: $16,429

   • Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

5. Essex

   • Average child care tuition: $18,865

   • Infant, center-based care: $28,086

   • Infant, home-based care: $15,213

   • Toddler, center-based care: $24,857

   • Toddler, home-based care: $13,996

   • Preschool, center-based care: $18,665

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

6. Franklin

   • Average child care tuition: $15,107

   • Infant, center-based care: $20,080

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,691

   • Toddler, center-based care: $18,335

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,353

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,011

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

7. Hampden

   • Average child care tuition: $15,107

   • Infant, center-based care: $20,080

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,691

   • Toddler, center-based care: $18,335

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,353

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,011

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

8. Hampshire

   • Average child care tuition: $15,107

   • Infant, center-based care: $20,080

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,691

   • Toddler, center-based care: $18,335

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,353

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,011

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

9. Middlesex

   • Average child care tuition: $18,865

   • Infant, center-based care: $28,086

   • Infant, home-based care: $15,213

   • Toddler, center-based care: $24,857

   • Toddler, home-based care: $13,996

   • Preschool, center-based care: $18,665

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

10. Nantucket

• Average child care tuition: $17,414

• Infant, center-based care: $21,420

• Infant, home-based care: $16,734

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,473

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,429

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

11. Norfolk

• Average child care tuition: $25,606

• Infant, center-based care: $33,773

• Infant, home-based care: $22,500

• Toddler, center-based care: $31,642

• Toddler, home-based care: $20,689

• Preschool, center-based care: $25,558

• Preschool, home-based care: $19,473

12. Plymouth

• Average child care tuition: $17,414

• Infant, center-based care: $21,420

• Infant, home-based care: $16,734

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,473

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,429

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

13. Suffolk

• Average child care tuition: $23,155

• Infant, center-based care: $35,902

• Infant, home-based care: $19,473

• Toddler, center-based care: $30,004

• Toddler, home-based care: $17,038

• Preschool, center-based care: $21,298

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

14. Worcester

• Average child care tuition: $17,828

• Infant, center-based care: $23,750

• Infant, home-based care: $15,213

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,298

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,066

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,342

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,300

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).