Childcare cost in District of Columbia (2025 price-year)
Infant center-based care runs $28,356/year ($545/week), preschool $22,714/year. That's 11.8% of the typical DC household income.
| Infant (under 2), center-based | $28,356/yr ≈ $545/wk |
| Preschool (4yo) | $22,714/yr |
| % of median household income | 11.8% |
| US rank (cost, 51 metros) | #1 |
| US average infant cost | $14,802/yr |
Source: Child Care Aware of America cost survey (EPI lineage), 2025 price-year, compiled July 2026. Center-based means licensed center, not family/home provider (home care is typically 30–50% cheaper).
District of Columbia vs the neighbors
| District of Columbia | $28,356 | 11.8% of income |
| Massachusetts | $26,709 | 18.1% of income |
| Minnesota | $22,569 | 18.8% of income |
| California | $21,945 | 18.4% of income |
What actually lowers the bill
- Federal child-care tax credit: up to $3,000 per child (one child $5,500… for 2+), refundable-portion rules apply, the only direct federal relief.
- Employer dependent-care FSA: $5,000 per household pre-tax, stackable with the credit for a meaningful $667+ annual cut at DC tax rates.
- Child Care Development Fund subsidies in DC: sliding-scale eligibility commonly extends past 150% of the state median income for young children, check DC DHS/DCF "childcare subsidy".
- Structured alternatives: family home care ($30–50% cheaper), co-op share (1 educator shared across 3 families), university/lab-school slots with sibling discounts.
- Negotiation: infant rooms run highest per-child staffing ratios; moving to a toddler-room placement at 18–24 months typically drops DC prices 15–25%.
Frequently asked
How much does daycare cost in District of Columbia?
$28,356 a year for an infant in a licensed center, about $545 a week, and 11.8% of a typical District of Columbia household income. Preschool runs $22,714.
Is District of Columbia expensive for childcare?
#1 of 51 metros on infant cost. The US average is $14,802. It's among the priciest states.
How does daycare cost in District of Columbia compare to salary?
At 11.8% of median household income for one infant, a two-parent household paying full price pays more than most car payments for one child. Use the break-even calculator for the stay-home side of the math.