{"id":6011,"date":"2026-06-30T18:31:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T18:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6011"},"modified":"2026-06-30T18:31:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T18:31:58","slug":"these-states-are-hit-hardest-by-child-care-costs-new-data-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=6011","title":{"rendered":"These states are hit hardest by child care costs, new data shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

For millions of American families, the cost of child care remains one of the largest financial challenges, consuming a significant share of household income and forcing many parents to make difficult decisions about work and family.<\/p>

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But some states have more affordable child care than others.<\/p>

To determine\u00a0where child care is most and least affordable<\/u>, financial data company\u00a0WalletHub\u00a0<\/u>compared the costs of both family-based and center-based child care in each state, adjusting those expenses against median household income.<\/p>

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Single parents may spend 59% of their earnings on child care<\/h2>

By the numbers:<\/p>

The\u00a0data found<\/u> that married couples spend nearly 14% of their household income on child care, while single parents can devote as much as 59% of their earnings to care expenses.\u00a0<\/p>

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Nebraska was the most expensive state for child care, followed closely by California and New York. (Credit: Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66.3% of families with children have both parents employed, making child care a necessity for millions.<\/p>

What they’re saying:<\/p>

“It costs a lot of money to take care of a child\u2019s needs, and many parents are left with the dilemma of whether to forgo one salary to do their own child care for the first few years or to shell out a significant chunk of their income for child care services,” Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement.<\/p>

Nebraska most expensive state for child care<\/h2>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

Nebraska ranked as the nation’s most expensive state for child care relative to income. Married couples spend between 10.7% and 13.6% of their median household income on child care, depending on whether they choose family-based or center-based care. Single parents faced an even heavier burden, spending between 32.2% and 41% of their income.<\/p>

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While Nebraska’s household incomes ranked near the middle nationally, the state had the fifth-most expensive family child care and the third-costliest child care centers.<\/p>

California placed second on the list. Married couples spend between 10.6% and 13.6% of their median household income on child care despite the state having the nation’s 12th-highest median income for married households at $144,216 annually.\u00a0<\/p>

New York ranked third, with married couples spending approximately 10.9% to 13% of their household income on child care. Although New York has the nation’s 11th-highest median income for married couples at $145,321, single-parent households earn considerably less, with a median income of $41,337\u2013 ranking 24th nationally.<\/p>

States with highest, lowest cost of child care for married couples<\/h2>