Child care tuition in New Jersey runs the gamut depending on care type and county, with a much wider spread between center-based and home-based care prices than in most states. Across all locations and early childhood ages, the average annual tuition price in New Jersey stands at $14,838 for 2026. But infant care in some places can reach nearly $20,000, while the lowest-priced care averages just shy of $10,000.

To attract more families in a competitive market, it’s important for child care providers to price their services at a point where it’s affordable for families but still makes for a profitable business. To this end, Playground compiled local county averages for tuition prices in 2026 across infants, toddlers, and preschoolers both at home- and center-based providers, as well as tips for how to effectively price your services.

Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.

How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in New Jersey

Comparing local benchmarks is a good starting point for determining how to initially set or adjust your tuition prices, but it’s not the only factor you should consider. Optimal tuition pricing will ultimately depend on the unique circumstances, goals, and positioning of your business. You’ll want to consider your overhead – or how much regular costs you need to make sure to cover – as well as typical vacancy rates, growth trajectories, and other factors. 

How your services compare to the local competition also matters, as some families may be willing to pay a premium for higher quality care. On the other hand, a plethora of lower income families may only be able to enroll if your prices meet their threshold or you participate in subsidy programs. For more guidance on how to set your pricing, check out Playground’s full child care tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey for Child Care

Morris County has the most expensive average child care tuition in New Jersey at an average of $16,224 annually. Across both care types and all pre-k age groups, the top 10 most expensive counties for child care tuition in the Garden State include:

1. Morris County: $16,224

2. Somerset County: $15,974

3. Hudson County: $15,704

4. Middlesex County: $15,592

5. Bergen County: $15,571

6. Monmouth County: $15,510

7. Burlington County: $15,182

8. Ocean County: $15,108

9. Passaic County: $15,033

10. Union County: $14,885

Least Expensive Counties in New Jersey for Child Care

These are the top 10 least expensive counties in New Jersey for child care tuition, 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. Salem County: $13,620

2. Cumberland County: $13,794

3. Camden County: $13,926

4. Atlantic County: $14,014

5. Cape May County: $14,020

6. Warren County: $14,118

7. Essex County: $14,356

8. Mercer County: $14,626

9. Gloucester County: $14,721

10. Sussex County: $14,751

Average Child Care Tuition in New Jersey 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. Atlantic County

• Average child care tuition: $14,014

• Infant, center-based care: $17,445

• Infant, home-based care: $10,966

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,920

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,271

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,920

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,560

2. Bergen County

• Average child care tuition: $15,571

• Infant, center-based care: $19,333

• Infant, home-based care: $12,211

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,869

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,479

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,869

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,665

3. Burlington County

• Average child care tuition: $15,182

• Infant, center-based care: $18,454

• Infant, home-based care: $12,032

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,598

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,093

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,598

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,319

4. Camden County

• Average child care tuition: $13,926

• Infant, center-based care: $17,142

• Infant, home-based care: $11,034

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,758

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,290

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,758

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,575

5. Cape May County

• Average child care tuition: $14,020

• Infant, center-based care: $17,199

• Infant, home-based care: $11,138

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,113

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,138

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,113

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,417

6. Cumberland County

• Average child care tuition: $13,794

• Infant, center-based care: $17,426

• Infant, home-based care: $10,704

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,842

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,825

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,842

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,127

7. Essex County

• Average child care tuition: $14,356

• Infant, center-based care: $18,010

• Infant, home-based care: $11,294

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,488

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,294

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,488

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,565

8. Gloucester County

• Average child care tuition: $14,721

• Infant, center-based care: $18,477

• Infant, home-based care: $11,512

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,908

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,635

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,908

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,886

9. Hudson County

• Average child care tuition: $15,704

• Infant, center-based care: $19,611

• Infant, home-based care: $12,230

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,964

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,619

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,964

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,838

10. Hunterdon County

• Average child care tuition: $14,872

• Infant, center-based care: $18,479

• Infant, home-based care: $11,585

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,360

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,621

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,360

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,824

11. Mercer County

• Average child care tuition: $14,626

• Infant, center-based care: $17,897

• Infant, home-based care: $11,673

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,432

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,038

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,432

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,283

12. Middlesex County

• Average child care tuition: $15,592

• Infant, center-based care: $19,103

• Infant, home-based care: $12,389

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,823

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,608

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,823

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,807

13. Monmouth County

• Average child care tuition: $15,510

• Infant, center-based care: $19,135

• Infant, home-based care: $12,365

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,692

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,486

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,692

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,692

14. Morris County

• Average child care tuition: $16,224

• Infant, center-based care: $19,875

• Infant, home-based care: $12,959

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,471

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,203

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,471

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,367

15. Ocean County

• Average child care tuition: $15,108

• Infant, center-based care: $19,091

• Infant, home-based care: $11,739

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,436

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,862

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,436

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,084

16. Passaic County

• Average child care tuition: $15,033

• Infant, center-based care: $18,716

• Infant, home-based care: $11,672

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,242

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,037

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,242

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,286

17. Salem County

• Average child care tuition: $13,620

• Infant, center-based care: $17,306

• Infant, home-based care: $10,467

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,670

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,649

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,670

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,956

18. Somerset County

• Average child care tuition: $15,974

• Infant, center-based care: $19,809

• Infant, home-based care: $12,598

• Toddler, center-based care: $19,417

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,720

• Preschool, center-based care: $19,417

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,886

19. Sussex County

• Average child care tuition: $14,751

• Infant, center-based care: $18,529

• Infant, home-based care: $11,436

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,974

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,680

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,974

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,912

20. Union County

• Average child care tuition: $14,885

• Infant, center-based care: $18,188

• Infant, home-based care: $11,829

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,016

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,011

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,016

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,249

21. Warren County

• Average child care tuition: $14,118

• Infant, center-based care: $17,401

• Infant, home-based care: $11,151

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,899

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,541

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,899

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,819

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).