(NEXSTAR) – It’s no secret that child care is expensive – but in some U.S. states, it can cost at least twice as much as rent for families with more than one kid.
A new report from the nonprofit Child Care and Aware of America shows the average cost of placing two kids in a child care center is at least 25% higher than the typical rent in every state. (The data reflects the cost of care for an infant and 4-year-old.)
In eleven states plus Washington, DC, the cost is even higher: at least double the typical rent, as outlined in the table below. Vermont is the most expensive state in this regard, with child care for two kids costing $35,016 compared to the typical rent of $13,788, according to the data.
| State | Annual cost of child care for two kids* | Annual cost of the typical rent |
| Illinois | $28,360 | $14,148 |
| Indiana | $23,157 | $11,604 |
| Iowa | $21,913 | $10,968 |
| Kansas | $24,795 | $11,832 |
| Massachusetts | $42,766 | $19,056 |
| Minnesota | $35,673 | $14,136 |
| Nebraska | $23,920 | $11,844 |
| Pennsylvania | $26,580 | $13,320 |
| Rhode Island | $31,517 | $14,340 |
| Vermont | $35,016 | $13,788 |
| Washington, DC | $45,890 | $21,804 |
| Wisconsin | $24,700 | $11,904 |
Families with two kids also pay more on average for center-based child care than the typical mortgage in every state, excluding Alaska, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.
The latest Consumer Price Index shows child care costs increased by nearly 3% between December 2022 and December 2023. The average price of child care for 2023 was $11,582, according to Child Care Aware.
The nonprofit stated in its recent report that “child care has been under-resourced for decades, contributing to the current inadequate supply of high-quality programs and a situation where too many families are priced out of the system.”
Child care can even be unaffordable for professionals in the industry, who earn $30,360 per year on average. “It would take 59% to over 100% of the average annual child care professional’s wage to afford center-based care for two children,” Child Care Aware noted.
The Associated Press reported that Kentucky launched a program last year to cover or reduce the cost of day care for parents who work in this field. More than a dozen states are considering or have already adopted policies modeled after the one in Kentucky, according to EdSurge.
Some states, like California, have also expanded free preschool and early education, making child care inexpensive or free for many.
Still, Child Care Aware is calling on lawmakers to “increase sustainable funding for the system” to help more families struggling with rising costs.
“Expanding funding makes it possible for states to provide more families with subsidies, lower the price of child care, support and retain the child care workforce, and increase access and supply,” the organization said.
The Associated Press and Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.