California childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 58 California counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at California centers runs about $354 per week at the median, above the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $354 | $1,534 | $246 |
| Toddler | $217 | $940 | $220 |
| Preschool | $191 | $828 | $207 |
| School-age | $111 | $481 | $199 |
Medians across California counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | $516/wk | $408/wk | $361/wk |
| Alpine County | $356/wk | $168/wk | $202/wk |
| Amador County | $235/wk | $145/wk | $216/wk |
| Butte County | $354/wk | $179/wk | $291/wk |
| Calaveras County | $291/wk | $162/wk | $244/wk |
| Colusa County | $265/wk | $153/wk | $240/wk |
| Contra Costa County | $482/wk | $381/wk | $319/wk |
| Del Norte County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $231/wk |
| El Dorado County | $450/wk | $228/wk | $372/wk |
| Fresno County | $416/wk | $203/wk | $295/wk |
| Glenn County | $238/wk | $151/wk | $211/wk |
| Humboldt County | $366/wk | $192/wk | $253/wk |
| Imperial County | $222/wk | $161/wk | $190/wk |
| Inyo County | $361/wk | $176/wk | $249/wk |
| Kern County | $353/wk | $171/wk | $238/wk |
| Kings County | $261/wk | $153/wk | $218/wk |
| Lake County | $261/wk | $162/wk | $232/wk |
| Lassen County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $230/wk |
| Los Angeles County | $257/wk | $225/wk | $284/wk |
| Madera County | $332/wk | $156/wk | $236/wk |
| Marin County | $548/wk | $433/wk | $392/wk |
| Mariposa County | $254/wk | $152/wk | $232/wk |
| Mendocino County | $278/wk | $168/wk | $240/wk |
| Merced County | $245/wk | $165/wk | $231/wk |
| Modoc County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $205/wk |
| Mono County | $370/wk | $283/wk | $295/wk |
| Monterey County | $403/wk | $198/wk | $319/wk |
| Napa County | $377/wk | $238/wk | $262/wk |
| Nevada County | $317/wk | $201/wk | $218/wk |
| Orange County | $394/wk | $254/wk | $300/wk |
| Placer County | $449/wk | $233/wk | $389/wk |
| Plumas County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $230/wk |
| Riverside County | $405/wk | $189/wk | $231/wk |
| Sacramento County | $347/wk | $261/wk | $242/wk |
| San Benito County | $386/wk | $254/wk | $237/wk |
| San Bernardino County | $384/wk | $173/wk | $271/wk |
| San Diego County | $379/wk | $243/wk | $251/wk |
| San Francisco County | $607/wk | $477/wk | $395/wk |
| San Joaquin County | $387/wk | $185/wk | $328/wk |
| San Luis Obispo County | $361/wk | $272/wk | $246/wk |
| San Mateo County | $555/wk | $437/wk | $375/wk |
| Santa Barbara County | $453/wk | $242/wk | $363/wk |
| Santa Clara County | $527/wk | $410/wk | $361/wk |
| Santa Cruz County | $477/wk | $256/wk | $408/wk |
| Shasta County | $248/wk | $214/wk | $209/wk |
| Sierra County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $205/wk |
| Siskiyou County | $265/wk | $221/wk | $192/wk |
| Solano County | $424/wk | $214/wk | $367/wk |
| Sonoma County | $243/wk | $204/wk | $286/wk |
| Stanislaus County | $316/wk | $171/wk | $304/wk |
| Sutter County | $307/wk | $232/wk | $220/wk |
| Tehama County | $236/wk | $150/wk | $222/wk |
| Trinity County | $224/wk | $148/wk | $243/wk |
| Tulare County | $240/wk | $158/wk | $246/wk |
| Tuolumne County | $269/wk | $162/wk | $241/wk |
| Ventura County | $425/wk | $299/wk | $262/wk |
| Yolo County | $387/wk | $312/wk | $260/wk |
| Yuba County | $365/wk | $178/wk | $273/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: California requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
California childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in California?
The median price for full-time infant care at California centers is about $354 per week, roughly $1,534 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $191 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which California county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, San Francisco County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $607 per week, while Imperial County has the lowest at about $222 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in California, the median for infant care is about $246 per week home-based versus $354 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.