The statewide average annual cost for child care in New York state sits at approximately $13,186, but this number masks real differences on the ground. With 62 counties ranging from dense urban centers to rural communities, the child care market in New York can be broken down into more local segments. The gap between the most expensive counties – primarily in the New York City metro and suburbs – and the more affordable upstate and rural counties can easily exceed $5,000 per year. 

For providers and families, these local realities may matter more than any statewide figure. This guide delivers a full county-by-county breakdown of 2026 child care tuition rates across New York. It breaks down pricing by center type (center-based and home-based) and by age group (infant, toddler, and preschool). Whether you operate a program and need to set competitive rates, or you’re a parent planning ahead, you’ll find localized benchmarks from the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Database of Childcare Prices.

Looking for ways to streamline your New York 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 New York

Pricing your child care or daycare services appropriately can be the difference between maintaining profitability and falling behind. Because child care businesses are generally low margin businesses, it’s important for your services to be priced competitively enough to attract customers without taking your business into the red. 

Find your county pricing details below to get a sense for what the competitive landscape in your neighborhood might look like. Using these figures as benchmarks, you can evaluate other factors – like your specific locale, services, and costs – to appropriately price yourself. You can learn more about planning and pricing your child care or daycare services with Playground’s full tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in New York by Center Type and Age

Averages are across all New York 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 York for Child Care

Costs are somewhat consistent across a handful of New York counties, leading to tied average pricing in some cases. This aside, the 10 most expensive counties in New York state for childcare across all center types and ages include:

1. Nassau: $17,137

2. Putnam: $17,137

3. Rockland: $17,137

4. Suffolk: $17,137

5. Westchester: $17,137

6. Bronx: $14,475

7. Kings: $14,475

8. New York: $14,475

9. Queens: $14,475

10. Richmond: $14,475

Prices are for full-time annual care across centers, home-based care, infants, preschoolers and toddlers. A more detailed breakdown of costs by center type and age for each county can be found below.

Least Expensive Counties in New York for Child Care

Child care prices are fairly consistent across some New York counties, leading to some tied rankings for the least expensive counties. Roughly two-thirds of New York counties rank as least expensive at an average annual cost of $11,745 across center types and all ages under five. 

Thus, the least expensive counties for child care tuition in New York include Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca,

Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties.

A more detailed breakdown of costs by center type and age for each county can be found below.

Average Child Care Costs in New York by County

Counties are listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2024 dollars based on the center type and child age.

1. Albany County

   • Average child care tuition: $13,985

   • Infant, center-based care: $16,435

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,168

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,648

   • Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

2. Allegany County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

3. Bronx County

   • Average child care tuition: $14,475

   • Infant, center-based care: $17,300

   • Infant, home-based care: $14,417

   • Toddler, center-based care: $15,974

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,687

   • Preschool, center-based care: $14,936

   • Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

4. Broome County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

5. Cattaraugus County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

6. Cayuga County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

7. Chautauqua County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

8. Chemung County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

9. Chenango County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,745

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

10. Clinton County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

11. Columbia County

    • Average child care tuition: $13,619

    • Infant, center-based care: $16,666

    • Infant, home-based care: $11,534

    • Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

    • Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

    • Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

12. Cortland County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

13. Delaware County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

14. Dutchess County

    • Average child care tuition: $13,985

    • Infant, center-based care: $16,435

    • Infant, home-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

    • Toddler, home-based care: $12,168

    • Preschool, center-based care: $14,648

    • Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

15. Erie County

    • Average child care tuition: $13,619

    • Infant, center-based care: $16,666

    • Infant, home-based care: $11,534

    • Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

    • Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

    • Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

16. Essex County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

17. Franklin County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

18. Fulton County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

19. Genesee County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

20. Greene County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

21. Hamilton County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

22. Herkimer County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

23. Jefferson County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

24. Kings County

    • Average child care tuition: $14,475

    • Infant, center-based care: $17,300

    • Infant, home-based care: $14,417

    • Toddler, center-based care: $15,974

    • Toddler, home-based care: $12,687

    • Preschool, center-based care: $14,936

    • Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

25. Lewis County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

26. Livingston County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

27. Madison County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

28. Monroe County

    • Average child care tuition: $13,619

    • Infant, center-based care: $16,666

    • Infant, home-based care: $11,534

    • Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

    • Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

    • Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

29. Montgomery County

    • Average child care tuition: $11,745

    • Infant, center-based care: $14,244

    • Infant, home-based care: $10,957

    • Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

    • Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

    • Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

    • Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

30. Nassau County

    • Average child care tuition: $17,137

    • Infant, center-based care: $18,742

    • Infant, home-based care: $17,300

    • Toddler, center-based care: $17,300

    • Toddler, home-based care: $16,724

    • Preschool, center-based care: $16,897

    • Preschool, home-based care: $15,859

31. New York County

• Average child care tuition: $14,475

• Infant, center-based care: $17,300

• Infant, home-based care: $14,417

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,974

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,687

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,936

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

32. Niagara County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

33. Oneida County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

34. Onondaga County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

35. Ontario County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

36. Orange County

• Average child care tuition: $13,985

• Infant, center-based care: $16,435

• Infant, home-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,168

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,648

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

37. Orleans County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

38. Oswego County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

39. Otsego County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

40. Putnam County

• Average child care tuition: $17,137

• Infant, center-based care: $18,742

• Infant, home-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,724

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,897

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,859

41. Queens County

• Average child care tuition: $14,475

• Infant, center-based care: $17,300

• Infant, home-based care: $14,417

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,974

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,687

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,936

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

42. Rensselaer County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

43. Richmond County

• Average child care tuition: $14,475

• Infant, center-based care: $17,300

• Infant, home-based care: $14,417

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,974

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,687

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,936

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

44. Rockland County

• Average child care tuition: $17,137

• Infant, center-based care: $18,742

• Infant, home-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,724

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,897

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,859

45. Saratoga County

• Average child care tuition: $13,985

• Infant, center-based care: $16,435

• Infant, home-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,168

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,648

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

46. Schenectady County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

47. Schoharie County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

48. Schuyler County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

49. Seneca County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

50. St. Lawrence County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

51. Steuben County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

52. Suffolk County

• Average child care tuition: $17,137

• Infant, center-based care: $18,742

• Infant, home-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,724

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,897

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,859

53. Sullivan County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

54. Tioga County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

55. Tompkins County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

56. Ulster County

• Average child care tuition: $13,985

• Infant, center-based care: $16,435

• Infant, home-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,168

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,648

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,534

57. Warren County

• Average child care tuition: $13,619

• Infant, center-based care: $16,666

• Infant, home-based care: $11,534

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,859

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,705

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,418

58. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

59. Wayne County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

60. Westchester County

• Average child care tuition: $17,137

• Infant, center-based care: $18,742

• Infant, home-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,300

• Toddler, home-based care: $16,724

• Preschool, center-based care: $16,897

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,859

61. Wyoming County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

62. Yates County

• Average child care tuition: $11,745

• Infant, center-based care: $14,244

• Infant, home-based care: $10,957

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,264

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,380

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,534

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,092

Data and Methodology

The data above is adjusted to 2024 dollars based on the latest data from the National Database of Childcare Prices, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).