Childcare Costs in Massachusetts vs Salary (2026)
Full-time infant daycare in Massachusetts runs about $2,000 a month — $24,000 a year, or 23.8% of the $101,000 median household income, and 79% above the 50-state average. Here is what that means for going back to work.
Massachusetts childcare and cost-of-living figures
| Figure | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Infant daycare (0–2), full time | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Four-year-old care, full time | $1,550 | $18,600 |
| Median 2-bedroom rent | $2,300 | $27,600 |
| Commute for the returning parent | $220 | $2,640 |
| Median household income | $8,417 | $101,000 |
2026 estimates, rounded. Childcare: Child Care Aware of America — Price of Care. Income: U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey. Housing: HUD Fair Market Rents. Full methodology and dataset.
What salary do you need to break even in Massachusetts?
One child in care
$27,000
Gross salary needed to cover $26,640 of childcare and commuting after tax.
Two children in care
$47,500
Gross salary needed to cover $45,240 for an infant plus a four-year-old, and the commute.
Childcare plus rent consumes roughly 51.1% of the median Massachusetts household income, far above the 7% the federal government calls affordable. Below the break-even line a second income is close to unpaid work in cash terms — the second-earner trap — though pension contributions and future wage growth still argue for staying in work (see the opportunity cost of staying home).
Test your own salary against these figures with the two-income break-even calculator or see what survives your nursery bill with the childcare vs salary calculator.
Run your own Massachusetts numbers
Load the Massachusetts averages into the calculator — $2,000 of childcare, $2,300 of rent and a $101,000 household income — then replace them with your real salary and daycare quote.
Use these Massachusetts numbersCity-level childcare costs in Massachusetts
Prices inside Massachusetts vary widely — metro centers typically run well above the statewide figure.
- Childcare costs in Boston, MA — $2,600/mo infant care
Massachusetts childcare cost FAQs
How much does daycare cost in Massachusetts?
Full-time infant daycare in Massachusetts averages about $2,000 a month ($24,000 a year) in 2026 — about 79% above the 50-state average of $1,118. Care for a four-year-old is cheaper, around $1,550 a month, because required staff-to-child ratios loosen.
What salary do you need to break even on childcare in Massachusetts?
A returning parent in Massachusetts needs roughly $27,000 gross to cover one infant in full-time care plus commuting after federal tax. With two children in care the break-even rises to about $47,500.
What percentage of income goes to childcare in Massachusetts?
One infant in full-time care eats about 23.8% of the $101,000 median Massachusetts household income. Add the $2,300 median two-bedroom rent and childcare plus housing take roughly 51.1% of gross income — far above the 7% federal affordability benchmark.
Is childcare cheaper in Massachusetts than the rest of the US?
At $2,000 a month for infant care, Massachusetts is about 79% above the 50-state average of $1,118. Prices inside the state still vary widely: metro centers typically run 20–40% above rural counties.
States with similar childcare prices
- Childcare costs in Washington — $1,700/mo
- Childcare costs in California — $1,650/mo
- Childcare costs in Colorado — $1,600/mo
- Childcare costs in New York — $1,600/mo
- Childcare costs in Maryland — $1,500/mo
- Childcare costs in Minnesota — $1,500/mo
All 50 states · Childcare costs by city · US childcare calculator