Washington Families Pay More for Childcare Than Rent, Report Shows

Childcare costs for two children in the Washington metro area have surpassed average rent, according to a new analysis by Redfin based on U.S. Department of Labor data. The report compared childcare expenses to rental prices across 20 major U.S. cities as of March 2025.

In the Baltimore, Maryland area, the monthly cost of childcare per child reached $1,147, amounting to 71% of the median rent of $1,606. Families with two children face childcare expenses that far exceed their rent. In the Washington metro area, the monthly childcare cost for one child was $1,401, about 68% of the area’s median rent of $2,061.

The analysis used Department of Labor childcare cost data adjusted for 2025 inflation and compared it with Redfin’s median rent figures, which reflect a three-month average through March 2025.

Cities With Lower Childcare Burden

The report noted that cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and New York—where rents are high—showed a smaller childcare-to-rent ratio. In Miami, the average monthly childcare cost per child was $764, just 32% of the median rent of $2,415. In Los Angeles, childcare costs averaged $1,145 compared to median rent of $2,747, a 42% share.

New York reported childcare costs of $1,208 and median rent of $2,843, meaning childcare made up about 43% of rent. Despite the relatively lower childcare burden, these cities still face high overall fixed expenses, keeping household costs close to half of family income.

Childcare Costs Exceed Rent in Most Cities

Out of the 20 cities analyzed, 14 showed that average monthly childcare costs for two children surpassed the local median rent, highlighting growing financial pressure on families nationwide.

BY OK-CHAE KIM [kimokchae04@gmail.com]