Childcare costs are rising faster than rent, straining U.S. family budgets
October 21, 2026 / 3:51 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Nearly 8% of U.S. families are spending more than $2,000 monthly on childcare, double the rate from three years ago.
- Childcare costs rose faster than rent and medical care in September compared to the previous year.
- Families nationwide spent an average of 8% of their monthly income on childcare in September.
- Affordable childcare is defined as consuming no more than 7% of household income.
- Lower- and middle-income families spend nearly 9% of their annual incomes on childcare.
- Grandparents are providing $172 billion annually in direct financial assistance to families.
- Median childcare costs rose fastest in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona.
- Increased domestic migration and a shortage of childcare workers are driving up prices.
- The lack of affordable childcare disproportionately affects women's employment opportunities.