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Childcare Costs Drain US Family Budgets
16 Jul
Summary
- Married couples spend nearly 14% of income on childcare.
- Single parents can spend up to 59% of income on childcare.
- Washington state married couples spend 10.8% on family care.
Inflation is placing a substantial financial burden on families with young children, particularly concerning childcare costs. A significant portion of parental income is allocated to this essential service, with married couples nationwide dedicating nearly 14% of their earnings to childcare.
Single-parent households experience even greater financial pressure, with childcare expenses potentially consuming up to 59% of their median annual income. This financial reality has made dual-income households increasingly common, despite the rising cost of living.
In Washington state, married couples spent 10.8% of their median household income on family-based childcare in 2026, and 12.8% on center-based care. For single-parent households in Washington, these costs were considerably higher, accounting for 34.9% of income for family-based care and 41.1% for center-based care.
