Child Care Costs in Pennsylvania 2026: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & More

Pennsylvania childcare costs vary significantly between its two major metros—Philadelphia and Pittsburgh—as well as smaller communities across the state. The Keystone State offers strong Pre-K programs and assistance options, but families in the Philadelphia region face costs rivaling the most expensive markets in the country.

This comprehensive guide covers what families actually pay across Pennsylvania, from premium Main Line suburbs to affordable rural communities.

Average Child Care Costs in Pennsylvania

Quick Overview

| Care Type | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | Suburbs | Rural | |-----------|--------------|------------|---------|-------| | Infant Daycare | $1,400-$2,000 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,100-$1,600 | $800-$1,200 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,000-$1,400 | $950-$1,400 | $700-$1,000 | | Preschool | $1,000-$1,500 | $900-$1,300 | $850-$1,200 | $600-$900 | | Nanny | $3,200-$4,500 | $2,800-$3,800 | $2,600-$3,600 | $2,200-$3,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | $850-$1,200 | $750-$1,100 | $550-$850 |

How Pennsylvania Compares

| Comparison | Pennsylvania | National Average | Difference | |------------|--------------|------------------|------------| | Infant care (Philly) | $1,700/month | $1,350/month | 26% above | | Infant care (Pittsburgh) | $1,450/month | $1,350/month | 7% above | | Infant care (Rural) | $1,000/month | $1,350/month | 26% below |

Pennsylvania is a tale of two markets: Philadelphia-area costs exceed the national average significantly, while Pittsburgh and rural areas remain more affordable.

Annual Costs by Region

| Region | Infant Center | Toddler Center | Preschool | |--------|---------------|----------------|-----------| | Philadelphia Metro | $16,800-$24,000 | $14,400-$20,400 | $12,000-$18,000 | | Pittsburgh Metro | $14,400-$20,400 | $12,000-$16,800 | $10,800-$15,600 | | Lehigh Valley | $13,200-$18,000 | $11,400-$15,600 | $9,600-$13,800 | | Central PA | $10,800-$15,600 | $9,000-$13,200 | $7,800-$12,000 | | Rural PA | $9,600-$14,400 | $8,400-$12,000 | $7,200-$10,800 |

---

---

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended Financial Planning Products

• Family Financial Planner - Organize childcare expenses and family budgeting
• Budget Planning Notebook - Track spending and savings goals for childcare costs
• Daycare Labels Pack - Label all your childs daycare supplies to avoid lost items

Philadelphia Region Costs

Philadelphia's childcare market is one of the most expensive on the East Coast, driven by high demand, limited supply, and the region's overall cost of living.

Center City & Surrounding Neighborhoods

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,600-$2,200 | $19,200-$26,400 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,400-$1,900 | $16,800-$22,800 | | Preschool | $1,200-$1,700 | $14,400-$20,400 | | Nanny | $3,500-$5,000 | $42,000-$60,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,100-$1,500 | $13,200-$18,000 |

By neighborhood:

• Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Washington Square: Highest costs ($1,900-2,400 for infants)
• University City, Fishtown, Northern Liberties: High ($1,600-2,000)
• Manayunk, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill: Moderate-high ($1,400-1,800)
• South Philadelphia, Germantown: Moderate ($1,300-1,700)
• North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia: More affordable ($1,200-1,600)

Main Line Suburbs

The Main Line represents Pennsylvania's most expensive childcare market.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,500-$2,000 | $18,000-$24,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,300-$1,800 | $15,600-$21,600 | | Preschool | $1,100-$1,600 | $13,200-$19,200 | | Nanny | $3,400-$4,800 | $40,800-$57,600 |

Key communities: Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Wayne, Villanova, Radnor, Gladwyne, Haverford

Main Line tips:

• Waitlists can be 12+ months for popular centers
• Many families use Main Line nanny agencies
• Consider home daycare for more affordable options

Montgomery County

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Lower Merion | $1,500-$2,000 | $1,300-$1,750 | Main Line adjacent | | King of Prussia | $1,400-$1,900 | $1,200-$1,650 | Corporate center | | Conshohocken | $1,400-$1,850 | $1,200-$1,600 | Growing young family area | | Blue Bell | $1,350-$1,800 | $1,150-$1,550 | Suburban | | Lansdale | $1,250-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,450 | More affordable | | Pottstown | $1,100-$1,500 | $950-$1,300 | Most affordable in county |

Delaware County

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Media | $1,350-$1,800 | $1,150-$1,550 | Charming town center | | Swarthmore | $1,400-$1,850 | $1,200-$1,600 | College town | | Springfield | $1,250-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,450 | Suburban | | Upper Darby | $1,100-$1,500 | $950-$1,300 | More affordable | | Chester | $950-$1,350 | $800-$1,150 | Most affordable |

Bucks County

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Newtown | $1,350-$1,800 | $1,150-$1,550 | Upper Bucks, affluent | | Doylestown | $1,300-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,500 | County seat | | Yardley | $1,300-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,500 | River town | | Warminster | $1,150-$1,550 | $1,000-$1,350 | More affordable | | Bristol/Levittown | $1,050-$1,450 | $900-$1,250 | Most affordable |

Chester County

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | West Chester | $1,400-$1,850 | $1,200-$1,600 | University town | | Exton/Downingtown | $1,300-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,500 | Corporate corridor | | Kennett Square | $1,250-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,450 | Charming town | | Coatesville | $1,050-$1,450 | $900-$1,250 | More affordable |

---

Pittsburgh Region Costs

Pittsburgh offers significantly more affordable childcare than Philadelphia, though costs have risen substantially in recent years as the city has grown.

City of Pittsburgh

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,200-$1,700 | $14,400-$20,400 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,050-$1,500 | $12,600-$18,000 | | Preschool | $900-$1,350 | $10,800-$16,200 | | Nanny | $2,800-$4,000 | $33,600-$48,000 | | Home Daycare | $850-$1,200 | $10,200-$14,400 |

By neighborhood:

• Shadyside, Squirrel Hill: Highest costs ($1,500-1,900)
• Lawrenceville, East Liberty, Highland Park: High ($1,300-1,700)
• South Side, Bloomfield, Regent Square: Moderate ($1,100-1,500)
• North Side, Brookline: More affordable ($1,000-1,400)
• Outer neighborhoods: Most affordable ($900-1,300)

Pittsburgh Suburbs - North Hills

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Fox Chapel | $1,400-$1,850 | $1,200-$1,600 | Most affluent | | Sewickley | $1,350-$1,800 | $1,150-$1,550 | Charming river town | | Cranberry Township | $1,250-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,450 | Growing family area | | Wexford | $1,200-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,400 | Suburban | | Ross Township | $1,100-$1,500 | $950-$1,300 | More affordable |

Pittsburgh Suburbs - South Hills

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Mt. Lebanon | $1,300-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,500 | Premium suburb | | Upper St. Clair | $1,300-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,500 | Excellent schools | | Bethel Park | $1,150-$1,550 | $1,000-$1,350 | Good value | | Peters Township | $1,200-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,400 | Washington County | | Canonsburg | $1,050-$1,450 | $900-$1,250 | More affordable |

East Suburbs

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | |------|---------------|-----------------| | Monroeville | $1,150-$1,550 | $1,000-$1,350 | | Murrysville | $1,100-$1,500 | $950-$1,300 | | Greensburg | $1,000-$1,400 | $850-$1,200 |

---

Other Pennsylvania Regions

Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton)

Growing region with moderate costs.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,100-$1,500 | $13,200-$18,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $950-$1,300 | $11,400-$15,600 | | Preschool | $800-$1,150 | $9,600-$13,800 | | Nanny | $2,600-$3,600 | $31,200-$43,200 | | Home Daycare | $750-$1,050 | $9,000-$12,600 |

Harrisburg Area (Capital Region)

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | | Toddler Daycare | $850-$1,200 | | Preschool | $750-$1,100 | | Nanny | $2,400-$3,400 | | Home Daycare | $700-$1,000 |

Suburbs: Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, and Hershey are slightly higher.

State College

University town with unique market dynamics.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,100-$1,500 | | Toddler Daycare | $950-$1,300 | | Preschool | $850-$1,200 |

State College challenges:

• Very limited availability
• Penn State employees create high demand
• Start looking during pregnancy

Lancaster/York Area

| City | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | |------|---------------|-----------------| | Lancaster | $1,000-$1,400 | $850-$1,200 | | York | $950-$1,350 | $800-$1,150 | | Reading | $950-$1,350 | $800-$1,150 |

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Most affordable larger metro in PA.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $850-$1,200 | | Toddler Daycare | $750-$1,050 | | Preschool | $650-$950 |

Erie

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $900-$1,250 | | Toddler Daycare | $800-$1,100 | | Preschool | $700-$1,000 |

---

Pennsylvania Child Care Assistance Programs

Child Care Works (CCW)

Pennsylvania's primary childcare subsidy program.

Who qualifies:

• Working families at or below 200% federal poverty level
• Parents in approved education or training
• Recently employed (within 182 days)

Income limits (2024):

• Family of 3: $49,720/year
• Family of 4: $60,000/year

What you get:

• Subsidy covers most childcare costs
• Copay based on income (sliding scale)
• Can use at licensed centers or registered homes

How to apply:

• Through your county assistance office
• Online at compass.state.pa.us
• Call 1-877-395-8930

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

High-quality Pre-K for income-eligible families.

Who qualifies:

• Children ages 3-4
• Families at or below 300% federal poverty level
• Priority for children closest to kindergarten

Income limits (2024):

• Family of 3: ~$75,000/year
• Family of 4: ~$90,000/year

Cost: Free for qualifying families.

How to apply: Contact your local school district or Pre-K Counts provider.

Head Start & Early Head Start

Who qualifies:

• Families at or below federal poverty level
• Foster children
• Homeless families
• Children with disabilities

What's included:

• Free preschool or infant/toddler care
• Health and developmental screenings
• Family support services
• Nutritious meals

Apply: Find local programs at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

PHLpreK (Philadelphia Only)

Philadelphia's expanding Pre-K program.

Who qualifies:

• All 3 and 4-year-olds in Philadelphia
• Income-based priority for free slots
• Sliding scale for middle-income families

How to apply: At phlprek.org

Philadelphia advantage: PHLpreK is moving toward universal access—check availability annually.

Keystone STARS

Pennsylvania's quality rating system for childcare.

| Rating | Meaning | |--------|---------| | STAR 4 | Highest quality, exceeds standards | | STAR 3 | High quality | | STAR 2 | Quality, making progress | | STAR 1 | Licensed, meeting standards |

Tip: Aim for STAR 3 or 4 programs. Search at findchildcare.pa.gov.

---

Ways to Save on Childcare in Pennsylvania

1. Pre-K Counts (Ages 3-4)

Income limits are generous (300% FPL). If you qualify, this saves $12,000-18,000/year.

2. PHLpreK (Philadelphia)

Expanding program with income-based pricing. Even middle-income families may get reduced rates.

3. Dependent Care FSA

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, plus local taxes (up to 3.9% in Philadelphia).

Savings on $5,000 contributed:

• Federal tax savings: $1,100-1,500
• PA state tax savings: $154
• Local tax savings (if applicable): up to $195
• Total: $1,449-1,849/year

4. Licensed Family Childcare

Home daycares cost 25-35% less than centers. Pennsylvania has excellent licensed family providers.

5. Move to Pittsburgh Region

If you can work remotely or have job flexibility, Pittsburgh-area childcare costs 15-30% less than Philadelphia.

6. Look for Keystone STARS Programs with Subsidies

Higher-quality programs don't cost more if you're using CCW subsidies.

7. Employer Benefits

Major Pennsylvania employers with childcare benefits:

• Philadelphia: Comcast, CHOP, Penn Medicine, Vanguard
• Pittsburgh: UPMC, Highmark, PNC, Duquesne Light

8. Church-Based Programs

Pennsylvania has many faith-based childcare options at 15-25% below market rates.

---

Finding Childcare in Pennsylvania

Where to Search

State resources:

• findchildcare.pa.gov (official search with Keystone STARS ratings)
• compass.state.pa.us (subsidy information)

Regional resources:

• Philadelphia: phlprek.org
• Pittsburgh: Allegheny County DHS
• Lehigh Valley: Community Services for Children

National resources:

• Care.com
• Winnie.com
• Local parenting groups

What to Look For

Keystone STARS rating: Aim for STAR 3 or 4

Staff qualifications: Check for CDA credentials or degrees

Ratios: Pennsylvania requires:

• Infants: 1:4
• Toddlers: 1:5 or 1:6
• Preschool: 1:10

Look for programs meeting or exceeding these ratios.

---

FAQ

Q: Does Pennsylvania have free preschool?

A: PA Pre-K Counts offers free preschool for income-qualifying families (up to 300% poverty level). Philadelphia's PHLpreK program is expanding toward universal access. Check with your school district or at phlprek.org.

Q: Is Philadelphia or Pittsburgh more expensive for childcare?

A: Philadelphia is generally 15-30% more expensive than Pittsburgh for comparable care. Philadelphia-area costs rival New York and DC suburbs.

Q: How do I find quality childcare in PA?

A: Use Pennsylvania's Keystone STARS rating system. Search for STAR 3 and 4 programs at findchildcare.pa.gov and visit in person before deciding.

Q: When should I start looking for childcare in PA?

A: For infant care in Philadelphia or Main Line suburbs, start looking as soon as you know you're expecting. Waitlists can be 12+ months. Pittsburgh and rural areas typically require 3-6 months notice.

Q: What's the cheapest area in Pennsylvania for childcare?

A: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and rural central Pennsylvania have the lowest costs. Pittsburgh offers good value among major metros.

Q: Can I use Pennsylvania subsidies for a nanny?

A: No, Child Care Works subsidies can only be used at licensed childcare centers or registered family childcare homes, not private nannies.

---

Conclusion

Pennsylvania offers dramatically different childcare markets depending on where you live. Philadelphia-area families face costs among the highest in the nation, while Pittsburgh and rural communities remain relatively affordable. Strong Pre-K programs and generous income limits for assistance make quality care accessible to many families.

Key takeaways:

• Philadelphia region is 15-30% more expensive than Pittsburgh
• Pre-K Counts has generous income limits (up to 300% FPL)
• Keystone STARS ratings help identify quality programs
• PHLpreK is expanding—Philadelphia families should check availability
• Rural areas and smaller cities offer significant savings

---

More Pennsylvania childcare resources:

• How Much Does Child Care Cost? →
• How to Afford Child Care →
• Best Childcare Options Compared →
• Childcare Costs in New Jersey →