New Jersey’s Childcare Costs Soar: Where Does It Rank?

For parents, it's no secret that raising children can come with a hefty price tag. And with the Federal childcare assistance provided under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 expired at the end of September, the financial burden for many families is even more significant. A recent report revealed that, on average, families allocate a staggering 27% of their household income exclusively to childcare costs.

And here's an unsettling fact we'd rather not acknowledge, but it's a stark reality in New Jersey: we hold the unenviable position of having the second-highest weekly childcare costs in the country. Helpadvisor.com recently published a report that sheds light on this issue, and the findings are eye-opening.

According to the report, in 2023, families across the United States pay an average of $325.39 per week for childcare.

At the top of the list for the most expensive childcare costs by state, Nevada leads the way with an average of just over $493 per week. Close behind is the Garden State, New Jersey, with costs exceeding $443 per week. Rounding out the top five, we have Washington D.C. at $427.90, Hawaii at $413.19, and Washington at $408.67.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the states with the most affordable weekly childcare costs are Iowa, where the average is just $182.42, followed by Mississippi at $203.38, and Oklahoma at $209.41.

New York has childcare costs approaching $351, while Pennsylvania is not far behind at $320.

The reports suggest that the rising childcare expenses can be linked to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread shift to remote work. During this period, the closure of almost 16,000 daycare centers has reduced childcare availability and extensive waiting lists for parents.

For a comprehensive state-by-state ranking and information on the most expensive cities, with San Francisco topping the list, visit the following link.