Child care costs in New York are among the highest in the nation, creating a significant financial strain for families across the state. The average annual cost of infant care in New York is $17,361, making it more expensive than in-state tuition at a four-year public college.
The cost of care for a 4-year-old is slightly lower at $14,988 per year, but child care remains one of the biggest expenses for families. In fact, infant care in New York is 99% more expensive than public college tuition and nearly as costly as the average annual rent of $19,738.
For families with two children—an infant and a 4-year-old—child care expenses reach $32,349 annually. This represents nearly 29% of a typical family’s income, far exceeding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ affordability standard, which defines affordable child care as costing no more than 7% of a family’s income. Only 14.5% of New York families meet this standard.
Minimum-wage workers face even greater barriers. A full-time minimum-wage employee earning $32,240 per year would need to spend 53.8% of their income just to afford infant care. Even child care workers themselves struggle with affordability—on average, a child care worker in New York would need to devote 47% of their earnings to pay for infant care for their own child.
Reforms aimed at capping child care expenses at 7% of a family’s income could make a substantial impact. If implemented, this policy would save a typical New York family $9,529 per year, freeing up 10.1% of their income for other necessities. Additionally, an estimated 72,086 parents would have the opportunity to enter the workforce, adding $16.6 billion in economic activity to the state.
As child care costs continue to rise, families, workers, and policymakers alike face mounting pressure to find solutions that ensure affordable and accessible care for all.
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