Stay at Home vs Daycare Calculator
Can you afford to be a stay-at-home parent? This calculator puts the two options side by side: one parent at home with no childcare bill, or both working and paying for daycare. It shows the monthly cash left in each case and the salary at which going back to work starts to pay.
Your numbers
The parent working in every scenario
The returning or second earner
Full-time cost while both parents work
Fares, fuel, parking
Rent or mortgage payment
Household food shop
Your result
Break-even salary for the second earner
$18,500
On these numbers the second earner needs to clear $18,500 gross before the household is better off in cash. At $55,000 they currently gain $2,827 a month.
| Per month | Both parents work | One parent at home | Second parent part time (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home income | $9,794 | $5,447 | $8,153 |
| Childcare | -$1,300 | $0 | -$780 |
| Commuting | -$440 | -$220 | -$352 |
| Housing | -$1,800 | -$1,800 | -$1,800 |
| Other living costs | -$2,050 | -$2,050 | -$2,050 |
| Left over each month | $4,204 | $1,377 | $3,171 |
Taxes use published United States income-tax bands with no childcare subsidy applied. See the methodology.
Open these numbers in the full calculatorHow to read this comparison
What the comparison includes
For the both-working case we count two salaries, the tax on each, full-time childcare and two commutes. For the stay-at-home case we count one salary, its tax and one commute, with no childcare. The difference is the real monthly value of the second job.
When staying home wins on cash
If the second salary is below the break-even figure shown, the family has more cash with one parent at home. This is common with two or more young children in paid care, or when the second earner is on a part-time or entry-level wage.
What cash doesn't show
Time out of work reduces future earnings and retirement savings. If staying home is close on cash, consider the longer-term cost too, or a part-time middle ground, which the results table also shows.
Frequently asked questions
Can I afford to be a stay-at-home mom or dad?
Enter your household numbers. If the one-income column still leaves positive cash each month after housing, food and bills, it is affordable on paper. If the second salary is under the break-even figure, staying home actually leaves you better off.
Is it cheaper to stay home than pay for daycare?
It is when the second earner's take-home pay, after tax and commuting, is less than the childcare bill. The break-even salary shown here is the exact point where both options leave the same cash.
What about part-time work?
The part-time column shows three days of work with three days of care. It often beats both full-time and staying home, because childcare is billed per day.
Can I share the result with my partner?
Yes. Your inputs are saved in the page link, so copying it sends the same numbers and results. Nothing is stored on our servers.