See what child care does to the household budget.
Start with a ZIP, compare county benchmarks, then replace them with real provider quotes. Test affordability and the cash-flow side of a parent-work decision without hiding the assumptions.
Build my care budget ↓ZIP → county → care range
Compare the places your household is considering. Every benchmark keeps its county, source year and limitation visible.
Model every child and weekly schedule.
Load ZIP
County evidence will appear here.
Not availableLoad ZIP
County evidence will appear here.
Not availableCompare openings, hours and the all-in price.
Quotes stay only in this browser. Selecting one replaces the benchmark in the affordability and parent-work calculations.
No quotes saved on this device yet. Add a provider after confirming tuition, fees, schedule and availability.
Waiting for a care range
Load two ZIPs or add a provider quote.
What does the second income actually add?
This does not value caregiving or predict long-term career effects.
Ready to combine care with housing, cars, food and savings? Open the full monthly household cash-flow check →
County evidence first. Provider reality next.
The federal NDCP is the most comprehensive county-level U.S. child-care price source, covering provider setting and child age through 2022. It is a market benchmark, not proof of an opening or current tuition.
Three important boundaries.
Are these provider quotes?
No. They are 2022 county market-price benchmarks from the U.S. Department of Labor. Ask providers about current tuition, openings, hours and fees.
Does the tool calculate my taxes?
No. Enter annual take-home income so the affordability share does not pretend to know filing status, deductions, benefits or credits.
Can this tell a parent to stop working?
No. It compares editable cash-flow inputs. Career progression, retirement benefits, health coverage, job re-entry and personal preferences remain household decisions.
