Childcare Costs in Los Angeles, CA vs Salary (2026)
Full-time infant care in Los Angeles runs about $1,850 a month — $22,200 a year, or 27.8% of the median United States household income of $80,000. Here is what that means for the decision to go back to work.
The Los Angeles numbers at a glance
| Figure | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Infant daycare (0–2), full time | $1,850 | $22,200 |
| Preschooler care (3–4), full time | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Median 2-bedroom rent | $2,800 | $33,600 |
| Commute for the returning parent | $220 | $2,640 |
| Groceries, family of four | $1,100 | $13,200 |
| Median household income | $6,667 | $80,000 |
Estimates for 2026, rounded. Childcare: Child Care Aware of America — Price of Care. Income: U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey. Housing: HUD Fair Market Rents. See the full methodology and dataset.
What salary do you need to break even in Los Angeles?
One child in care
$25,000
Gross salary needed just to cover $24,840 of childcare and commuting after tax.
Two children in care
$45,000
Gross salary needed to cover $42,840 of care for an infant plus a preschooler, and the commute.
Below those numbers, a second income in Los Angeles is effectively unpaid work once childcare and travel are deducted — the classic second-earner trap. Above them, every extra $1,000 of salary is real money, plus pension contributions and the wage growth you keep by staying in the workforce (see the opportunity cost of staying home).
Break-even assumes the returning parent's salary is taxed on its own at United States rates, with no subsidy applied. Local subsidies — see the United States guide — can move the line significantly.
Run your own Los Angeles numbers
Load the Los Angeles averages into the calculator and replace them with your actual salary, rent and nursery quote. It compares up to three scenarios side by side — both parents working, one at home, and part-time.
- • Household income: $80,000/yr
- • Childcare: $1,850/mo
- • Housing: $2,800/mo
- • Commute: $220/mo
Los Angeles childcare questions parents ask
How much does daycare cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Full-time infant daycare in Los Angeles averages about $1,850 per month ($22,200 a year) in 2026. Care for a 3–4 year old is lower, around $1,500 per month, because staff-to-child ratios are less demanding.
Is it worth going back to work in Los Angeles?
With one child in full-time care you need to earn roughly $25,000 gross just to break even on childcare and commuting in Los Angeles. With two children in care that rises to about $45,000. Below those lines the second income is close to unpaid work in cash terms, though pension contributions and future wage growth still count.
What share of income goes to childcare in Los Angeles?
One infant in full-time care costs about 27.8% of the median United States household income of $80,000. Add a median two-bedroom rent of $2,800 a month and childcare plus housing consume roughly 69.8% of gross household income.
How can families in Los Angeles lower childcare costs?
The usual levers are claiming every subsidy available in United States, sharing a nanny with another family, shifting to a 3–4 day week so you pay for fewer days, staggering parents' hours, and timing your return for when your child moves into the cheaper preschool room.
Compare with other United States cities
- Childcare costs in New York, NY
- Childcare costs in Chicago, IL
- Childcare costs in Houston, TX
- Childcare costs in Phoenix, AZ
- Childcare costs in Philadelphia, PA
- Childcare costs in San Antonio, TX
See all cities and states · Childcare costs by country · Living wage for a family with kids