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Childcare Savings Calculator | Work From Home vs Daycare 2026

Calculate your childcare savings by working from home

$

Your salary before taxes

$

Daycare, nanny, or childcare expenses

$

Gas, transit, parking, tolls

$

Work clothes, lunches out, dry cleaning

%

Combined federal, state, and local taxes

True Monthly Take-Home

What you actually keep after all work costs

$0/mo

Effective Hourly Rate

Your real earnings per hour worked

$0.00/hr

Annual Childcare Spend

Total yearly childcare cost

$0/year

How to Use This Childcare Savings Calculator

This free childcare savings calculator reveals your true take-home pay after factoring in all work-related costs. Many parents are shocked to discover how little they actually earn after childcare, commute, and other expenses.

  1. Enter your salary: Use your gross (before tax) annual income.
  2. Add childcare costs: Include all daycare, nanny, or babysitter expenses.
  3. Factor in commute: Gas, transit passes, parking, tolls, and car wear.
  4. Include work expenses: Clothes, lunches, dry cleaning, and coffee.
  5. Review results: See what you actually earn per hour.

Who Is This Childcare Savings Calculator For?

  • New parents: Deciding whether to return to work or stay home.
  • Working moms: Evaluating if your job is financially worth it.
  • Remote work seekers: Calculate savings from eliminating commute and reducing childcare.
  • Career changers: Compare part-time vs. full-time after childcare costs.
  • Side hustlers: See if building income from home beats your office job.

Childcare Costs by Type (2026 Averages)

Care TypeMonthly CostAnnual CostPros/Cons
Daycare Center$1,000-1,800$12,000-21,600Reliable hours, socialization
Family Daycare$800-1,400$9,600-16,800Smaller groups, home setting
Nanny Share$1,200-2,000$14,400-24,000Personalized, split cost
Full-Time Nanny$2,500-4,500$30,000-54,000Most flexible, most expensive
Au Pair$1,500-2,000$18,000-24,000Live-in, cultural exchange

Childcare Savings Calculator FAQs

How much does childcare cost in the US?

Average childcare costs range from $800-2,500/month per child depending on location and type. Daycare centers average $1,200/month, in-home care $1,500-2,000/month, and nannies $2,000-4,000/month. Major cities like NYC and SF can exceed $3,000/month.

Is it worth working if childcare costs so much?

Calculate your net income after childcare, commute, work clothes, and meals out. If your take-home is under $500/month, consider remote work, part-time, or building a side hustle during nap times instead.

How much can I save by working from home?

Remote work can save $500-1,500/month: reduced childcare needs (flexible schedule), no commute ($200-400/month), no work wardrobe ($100/month), home meals ($200-300/month), and reduced car costs.

Are there tax credits for childcare?

Yes. The Child and Dependent Care Credit covers 20-35% of up to $3,000 in expenses (one child) or $6,000 (two+ children). FSA Dependent Care accounts let you set aside $5,000 pre-tax. Check if your employer offers childcare benefits.

What are affordable childcare alternatives?

Consider: nanny shares (split cost with another family), family daycare homes (cheaper than centers), co-op preschools (reduced tuition for parent help), church-based programs, and grandparent or family help.

Should I be a stay-at-home parent?

Financially, compare: your net income after ALL work costs vs. the career cost of a gap (future earnings, benefits, retirement contributions). Emotionally, consider your wellbeing, identity, and long-term goals. There is no universal right answer.

How much is my unpaid parenting work worth?

If you hired help for all parenting tasks (childcare, cooking, cleaning, driving, tutoring), it would cost $50,000-100,000/year. Stay-at-home parents provide enormous economic value that is not reflected in GDP.

When does childcare get cheaper?

Costs drop at age 3 (preschool programs), age 5 (public school starts), and continue decreasing. After-school programs cost $200-500/month vs. $1,200+ for full-time care. Summer camps remain expensive ($200-500/week).