The 10 most affordable cities for renters who need childcare
Rents are high, and childcare is getting even more expensive. So, where can renters with children catch a break?
Americans are . A leading reason? Childcare is too expensive. In fact, struggle to find an affordable option.
The typical family spends of their annual income on full-day care for just one child. The government considers spending anything of a household鈥檚 annual income on childcare unaffordable.
In some cases, , a mortgage, or even college tuition. Childcare prices have jumped , nearly double the 133% rise in inflation. And while federal grants are meant to help underserved families, of eligible children don鈥檛 receive financial aid.
At the same time, housing costs are up. Rents have risen and more as construction falls and tariffs shake the economy. Together, these rising costs are pushing the price of raising a child to new highs.
So, where can renters with kids actually afford both housing and childcare? looked at the combined monthly cost of rent and childcare, ranking the 10 most affordable cities for residents making the local median income.
1. Houston
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 26.4%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $1,984 ($735 + $1,249)
- Median monthly household income: $7,514
Houston ranks as the most affordable major city for renters with children. Rentals in Houston are among the in the country, helping families there spend a smaller share of their income on housing and childcare than in any other city Redfin analyzed.
That said, affordability doesn鈥檛 mean the situation is easy. still struggle with rising childcare costs and are unable to afford basic necessities.
Zooming out to the state level, the affordability crisis becomes even clearer: Nearly 95,000 families are on for childcare subsidies, forcing them to go without care or . A recent report found the state loses due to childcare-related challenges鈥攑rimarily parents who are forced to reduce work hours or leave jobs to care for their children.
2. Dallas
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 27.4%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,306 ($851 + $1,455)
- Median monthly household income: $8,417
Dallas is the second-most affordable major city for renters with children. With a thriving job market, green space, and plenty to do, it鈥檚 an for those looking to balance affordability with a high quality of life.
Even so, many Texas parents struggle to pay for pre-kindergarten care. Infant care centers鈥攖he most expensive form of childcare鈥攃an charge $11,000 per year. , there aren鈥檛 any facilities at all, making it near-impossible for parents to hold down a job and care for their kids. That helps explain why cite the lack of accessible childcare as a primary reason they don鈥檛 participate in the workforce.
There have been efforts to improve care access. Dallas County recently launched an to support families working for participating companies. Employers who opt in can offer employees $3,000 per year in assistance, which will be matched by the county.
3. Atlanta
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 28.3%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,274 ($739 + $1,535)
- Median monthly household income: $8,048
big-city energy and plenty of Southern charm, as well as some of the lowest childcare costs in the nation. Pair that with recent to ensure that all children have access to care, and renting in Atlanta stands out as an affordable option for parents.
That said, many people still can鈥檛 afford childcare. In some areas of Georgia, infant care without subsidies can even . This is unaffordable for many families, especially single parents or lower-income households. Combined with the fact that 18% of Atlanta residents live in poverty, it鈥檚 clear that childcare remains out of reach for many.
Georgia does offer some help through programs like and , which are aimed at helping low-income families afford care. However, funding is severely limited. There is from the state government to rein in costs, but progress remains slow.
4. Washington, D.C.
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 29.7%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $3,462 ($1,401 + $2,061)
- Median monthly household income: $11,672
The nation鈥檚 capital, Washington, D.C., is the fourth-most affordable city for renters with children. Even though costs are steep, D.C.鈥檚 high median income helps offset the burden, keeping the share of income spent on rent and childcare below 30%. D.C. has the median household income in the country.
That鈥檚 not to say it鈥檚 affordable, though. A put the median annual childcare cost in D.C. at over $24,000. Low-income parents are being hit , with only of eligible families receiving government grants. These exceptionally high childcare costs have to reconsider D.C. living.
To help ease the burden, D.C. became to offer universal pre-K back in 2009, which boost school enrollment and maternal employment rates. The city that the program will be funded through 2026.
5. Baltimore
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 29.7%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,753 ($1,147 + $1,606)
- Median monthly household income: $9,264
Baltimore has a lot to offer, from to its famous blue crabs. It also boasts one of the lowest childcare-plus-rent costs in the nation, with the typical family spending less than 30% of their income.
Even so, raising a young family isn鈥檛 cheap. Childcare alone averages $1,147 a month, and with rents continuing to rise, it鈥檚 no surprise that many families are struggling to afford the basics.
Parents are feeling the strain and looking for help. Maryland鈥檚 main support program for low-income families, the Child Care Scholarship Fund, was due to overwhelming demand and limited funding. aims to expand childcare access specifically for federal workers who鈥檝e been laid off or called back to the office鈥攁 step in the right direction, but far from a full solution.
6. St. Louis
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 29.8%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,174 ($899 + $1,275)
- Median monthly household income: $7,305
St. Louis is the sixth-most affordable major city for renters with young children. Average housing and childcare costs take up less than 30% of the median household income, making it a standout choice for those seeking a lower cost of living while still enjoying city life.
Still, like in many places, affordability families have easy access to care. Missouri is home to widespread 鈥,鈥 with 78 of 115 counties lacking enough providers. This affects of the state鈥檚 children.
Parents who do live near a care center often struggle to find open slots or even . While the number of deserts has improved since the pandemic, the shortage still costs Missouri in lost productivity and economic opportunity.
7. Minneapolis
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 29.9%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,712 ($1,186 + $1,526)
- Median monthly household income: $9,058
Minneapolis stands out for its relatively low childcare costs and high quality of life. With abundant green space, strong public infrastructure, and a high median income, the a more affordable path for families balancing rent and childcare鈥攅specially compared to other large metros.
However, it鈥檚 still largely unaffordable, especially for lower- and middle-income parents. The typical resident has to spend nearly a third of their income on childcare and rent.
Like in many cities, childcare providers in Minneapolis face an uphill battle. Staffing shortages, tight margins, and limited public funding to keep prices down or even stay open. Without meaningful government support, many providers may continue raising rates or be , leaving families with fewer and costlier options.
8. Denver
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 33.2%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $3,154 ($1,434 + $1,720)
- Median monthly household income: $9,512
Denver may sit a mile high, but thanks to relatively strong incomes, housing and childcare costs are more manageable than in many other major metros. For families renting in Denver, the typical household spends about a third of their income on both鈥攈igh, but not uncommon in cities with similar living costs.
Still, the burden is uneven. Proportional to rents, Denver has the highest childcare costs in the country, eating up 15% of the median household income鈥攎ore than double the federal affordability benchmark. Infant and toddler care can cost $25,000 and $21,000 respectively, even as providers operate on tight margins.
Statewide, single parents must spend on childcare alone. As a result, many parents decide to leave work to care for their children, leaving Colorado with in lost revenue. As funding dries up nationwide, are calling for the state to recommit to and reimagine its childcare system.
9. Chicago
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 34.2%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $2,787 ($1,037 + $1,750)
- Median monthly household income: $8,159
Chicago is the ninth-most affordable city for renters with children. Overall costs are on the lower end nationwide, especially among the largest cities. Those looking for a major metropolis with below-average childcare rates may be right at home in the Windy City.
Even so, people struggle to afford it. Full-time infant care averages around $1,000 per month, and when paired with rent, families spend more than a third of their monthly income just to cover the basics. The issue , too. 20% of Illinois childcare workers live in poverty, and nearly 95% are women鈥攎ost of whom are women of color.
Illinois offers support for parents through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps some working families cover care costs. There鈥檚 also a new pilot called , which gives monthly cash to qualifying families involved in the child welfare system. Still, many Chicago children fall through the cracks, facing long waitlists or simply not enough aid to keep up with rising costs.
10. Seattle
- Share of income spent on childcare + rent: 34.3%
- Average monthly childcare + rent costs: $3,725 ($1,660 + $2,065)
- Median monthly household income: $10,844
Last on our list is Seattle, a city its tech companies, beautiful scenery, and months of drizzle. The typical Emerald City renter has to spend just over a third of their income on housing and childcare.
While Seattle families spend a slightly smaller share of their income on housing and childcare compared to many other high-cost cities, the actual dollar amounts . Infant care can exceed $2,000 per month, and families with multiple young children can face annual costs between $30,000 to $40,000 if they don鈥檛 qualify for subsidies. Washington鈥檚 recommended subsidy threshold is 60% of the 鈥攐r $56,763鈥攍eaving many working families just above the cutoff.
Access is another major challenge. In King County, licensed care centers serve only about 21% of the estimated 325,000 children in need, and waitlists can stretch up to a year. Nonprofits like help fill the gap with affordable early learning options, but demand far outweighs supply.
The most expensive cities for renters with children
These cities are prohibitively expensive for most, with childcare costs often matching that of already-high rents. Below are the cities where renters with children spend the highest share of income on housing and childcare, along with the actual monthly costs.
Methodology
This analysis is based on an original , which analyzed childcare, rent, income, and inflation data for 20 major U.S. metro areas (鈥渃ities鈥) for which Redfin has sufficient data. Childcare costs were calculated assuming one child per household.
Median rent data was sourced from Redfin for the three months ending March 31, 2025. Childcare data is from the and was inflation-adjusted for March 2025 using Bureau of Labor Statistics annual changes. Median household income data came from the and adjusted for March 2025.
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