Childcare Costs in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
Average daycare, nanny, and au pair costs for the Philadelphia metro area
Childcare in Philadelphia is 14% above the national average for daycare center care. The most affordable option for a single infant is In-Home Daycare at approximately $15,480/year ($1,290/month), while a Full-Time Nanny is the most expensive at $47,610/year ($3,968/month) before employer taxes, based on Care.com's October 2026 average local nanny rate of $22.89/hour.
Families in Pennsylvania may also qualify for state-specific tax credits and childcare subsidy programs that can reduce these costs by $2,000–$6,000+ annually. Use our free calculator with zip code 19101 for personalized estimates including tax savings.
How Philadelphia Childcare Costs Compare
Among the 44 metro areas we cover, Philadelphia has the #17 highest infant daycare costs at $19,650/year — on the costlier side of the national range. Infant daycare here runs 14% above the national average of $17,260.
The cheapest regulated choice for a Philadelphia infant is an in-home daycare at $15,480/year; a private nanny is the priciest at $47,610/year, a $32,130 difference. A flat-rate au pair (~$22,000/year) costs about $2,350 more than a Philadelphia daycare center but $25,610 less than a full-time nanny.
Families with two children in care feel it most: an infant plus a toddler in daycare runs about $38,230/year in Philadelphia before any sibling discount (centers commonly offer 5–15% off the second child). On a weekly basis, infant care alone is roughly $378. Within Pennsylvania, infant daycare ranges from $16,670 in Pittsburgh to $19,650 in Philadelphia, making Philadelphia the most expensive of the 2 Pennsylvania metros we track.
Average Annual Childcare Costs in Philadelphia
| Care Type | Infant (0–1) | Toddler (1–3) | Preschool (3–5) | School-Age (5–12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $19,650 | $18,580 | $16,020 | $9,000 |
| In-Home Daycare | $15,480 | $14,730 | $12,810 | $7,500 |
| Full-Time Nanny | $47,610 | $47,610 | $47,610 | $16,600 |
| Nanny Share | $31,740 | $31,740 | $31,740 | $11,070 |
| Au Pair | $22,000/year (flat rate per household) | |||
Costs are annual estimates for full-time care (5 days/week); school-age figures are before/after-school care (nanny: 15 hours/week) and exclude full-day summer care. Part-time schedules reduce costs proportionally. Nanny costs do not include employer payroll taxes (~10.25% additional). Sources: Care.com average nanny rates for Philadelphia, PA ($22.89/hour full-time, $21.28/hour after school, October 2026); Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report national daycare rates, adjusted to the Philadelphia metro. How we calculate.
Monthly Childcare Costs in Philadelphia
Here's what families in Philadelphia can expect to pay per month for infant care (the most expensive age group):
How to Save on Childcare in Philadelphia
- Max out your Dependent Care FSA — Contribute up to $7,500 pre-tax in 2026 ($3,750 if married filing separately; employer plan required). At a 12–24% federal bracket plus 7.65% FICA that saves about $1,470–$2,380 before state tax. This benefit is available regardless of which state you live in.
- Claim the federal Child & Dependent Care Credit — For 2026 the credit is 20–50% of up to $3,000 (one child) or $6,000 (two or more), but dollars paid through a Dependent Care FSA reduce those caps, so a full $7,500 FSA leaves no credit.
- Check Pennsylvania state tax benefits — Pennsylvania offers additional childcare tax benefits. Use our calculator to see your specific state savings.
- Consider a nanny share — In Philadelphia, a nanny share costs roughly $31,740/year per family vs. $47,610/year for a solo nanny — a savings of $15,870/year.
- Check Pennsylvania subsidy programs — Enter your zip code in our calculator to see if you qualify for state-funded childcare assistance.
Pennsylvania Childcare Assistance & Subsidies
Pennsylvania Child Care Works
Pennsylvania's Child Care Works program provides subsidies to low-income working families. The state has been expanding eligibility and recently increased provider reimbursement rates. PA also funds Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance for preschool access.
State Tax Benefits
Pennsylvania offers a Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit that provides 30% of the federal credit for families earning under $30,000, phasing down to 10% for incomes up to $43,000.
Learn more about maximizing your savings in our Childcare Tax Benefits Guide or see our full Pennsylvania Childcare Subsidies Guide.
Get Your Personalized Estimate
These are averages for the Philadelphia metro area. Your actual costs depend on your specific location, number of children, ages, and schedule. Our free calculator gives you a personalized breakdown including tax savings.
Calculate Your Costs (Zip: 19101)