What child care costs in Massachusetts, by region
The state’s own typical prices, from the Department of Early Education and Care’s tuition table (Aug 1, 2026). Each figure is the middle price, so about half of programs’ spots cost more and half less. Massachusetts doesn’t publish single programs’ prices.
By region: centers
| Region | Infant | Toddler | Preschool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | $1,884 | $1,732 | $1,386 |
| Metro | $2,849 | $2,663 | $2,126 |
| Metro Boston | $2,879 | $2,598 | $1,797 |
| Northeast | $2,390 | $2,158 | $1,570 |
| Southeast | $1,974 | $1,732 | $1,299 |
| Western | $1,797 | $1,602 | $1,263 |
By region: family child care homes
| Region | Infant | Toddler | Preschool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | $1,299 | $1,191 | $1,086 |
| Metro | $1,732 | $1,516 | $1,407 |
| Metro Boston | $1,864 | $1,516 | $1,299 |
| Northeast | $1,298 | $1,083 | $1,039 |
| Southeast | $1,299 | $1,299 | $1,212 |
| Western | $1,278 | $1,083 | $1,083 |
Which towns are in each region
The state’s six regions for child care financial assistance, with their towns that have the most programs. Each town page shows its region’s figure.
- Central
- Worcester, Fitchburg, Leominster, Milford, Gardner, Shrewsbury, Franklin, Southbridge and 54 more towns
- Metro
- Everett, Framingham, Malden, Cambridge, Newton, Quincy, Marlborough, Woburn and 60 more towns
- Southeast
- Brockton, Fall River, Barnstable, Taunton, New Bedford, Plymouth, Attleboro, Yarmouth and 59 more towns
- Western
- Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Westfield, West Springfield, Agawam, Northampton and 59 more towns
Where these figures come from
- The state’s “Licensed Early Education and Care Program Tuition” table on its Education-to-Career data hub, from Aug 1, 2026. They are the state’s figures, not ours.
- The state converts the rates programs report to it into a daily rate, then takes the middle (median) price, weighting each program by its licensed capacity. It gives daily, monthly and yearly figures; this page shows monthly.
- The age groups are the state’s: infant is birth to 15 months, toddler 15 months to 2 years 9 months, preschool 2 years 9 months to kindergarten.
- The state publishes no school-age figures.
Questions
How much does child care cost in Massachusetts?
The state’s own figures (its tuition table, Aug 1, 2026) put the typical price at centers at about $2,477 a month for infant care, $2,250 a month for toddler care and $1,645 a month for preschool care, and at family child care homes about $1,299 a month for infant care, $1,210 a month for toddler care and $1,096 a month for preschool care. These are medians; each program sets its own prices.
Why don’t program pages show prices?
Massachusetts doesn’t publish single programs’ prices. It publishes these medians, worked out from the rates programs report to it. Ask each program what it charges when you call.
Why is infant care the most expensive?
Babies need more teachers per child than any other age group, so each infant spot costs a program more to staff.
Is there help paying for child care in Massachusetts?
Yes. Child Care Financial Assistance helps families pay for child care. Families with income at or below 85% of the state median income may qualify.
From the state’s list of licensed child care programs (Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, on the state’s Education-to-Career data hub), retrieved Oct 27, 2026. The state updates its list once a month. It gives each program’s licensed capacity, not its openings or prices. Always confirm details with the program.