Child care in America has become a second rent payment — families are drowning under costs that climbed nearly 30% since 2020.
But not every state bleeds parents dry.
The latest 2025 numbers show where child care still fits within reach, and where families can stretch a paycheck without going under.
South Dakota
The national leader in affordability. Child care eats just 6.66% of income for married couples and 20.7% for single parents — well below national averages.
South Carolina
Low costs and a moderate cost of living make South Carolina one of the strongest bets for affordable family life in 2025.
Mississippi
Infant care runs among the cheapest in the nation — still hundreds below the national median. Families here see less than 7% of income vanish into care.
Utah
Large families get breathing room. Child care costs here are far lower as a share of income than in neighboring western states.
Alaska
Surprisingly affordable when weighed against median wages. Rural challenges exist, but on paper, Alaska is a top-five value state.
Idaho
Infant care averages about $6,444 a year, far under national averages. Idaho remains one of the easiest states to keep under $1,500/month with kids.
North Dakota
Similar to its southern twin, families see consistent affordability across the board — even in smaller towns.
Alabama
Child care as a percent of income ranks near the lowest nationwide. Families here spend a fraction of what those in the Northeast do.
Louisiana
Costs remain stable relative to wages. It ranks among the most affordable states for both infant and toddler care in 2025.
Georgia
Balancing relatively low rents with modest child care rates, Georgia still gives families a shot at making ends meet.
Prediction Closer
Child care shouldn’t cost more than college tuition — but in 38 states, it does. These 10 states are the outliers, proving affordability is possible when wages and policy line up. In 2025, the message is clear: working parents don’t just need jobs, they need systems that let them stay in them.
