The 10 most and 10 least expensive cities to own a home and pay for childcare

Childcare and housing costs can exceed 90% of a family's income in some metros. Nationally, families spend 52% of their income on childcare and housing costs combined. In some metros, that share exceeds 90%, while in others, it's below 50%. In areas where paychecks are higher, costs are also often higher. Buying a home already comes with plenty to consider, like price and location, but if you have children or plan to start a family, childcare should also be part of the equation. Some parents pay upward of $45,000 a year in childcare, and while a lot of that has to do with the quality of childcare, a big part of the price also depends on where you're located. Redfin, in partnership with childcare marketplace and data platform Winnie, calculated the share of income spent on childcare costs combined with housing costs across the 100 most populous metros. Across the country, families spend 52% of their annual income on housing and childcare combined. In some cities on the list, that number is above 90%. It may not be surprising that more expensive regions of the country charge higher childcare costs; however, in areas where families are earning more, childcare costs remain taxing. In a city like San Jose, California, where the median household income is $176,401 — more than double the national median of $83,730 in 2024 — the share of income spent on childcare and housing is 83.1%. "A high-paying job in San Francisco or Los Angeles can get wiped out fast once you factor for rent and day care, while a lower-paying job in a smaller metro might actually leave your family with more disposable income," Redfin's chief economist Daryl Fairweather told Business Insider. "Like anything else, it's ultimately a tradeoff and the decision should depend on your personal circumstances." On the other hand, places where families spend the smallest share of their income on childcare aren't necessarily in places where homes are the cheapest. "A cheap house doesn't always translate to a cheap life," Fairweather said. "We're seeing metros where housing is a steal, but childcare is eating up a big portion of the family budget, and vice versa in places like San Francisco. Families need to look at the whole picture before they decide where to plant roots." Read on to see where childcare and housing costs take the smallest and biggest cuts of your paycheck. Metros where childcare and housing consume the smallest share of 10. Dayton, OH Dayton, Ohio. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 43.8% Median annual childcare cost: $13,788 Median annual housing cost: $20,459 Median annual household income: $78,105 9. Louisville, KY Louisville, Kentucky. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 43.4% Median annual childcare cost: $12,780 Median annual housing cost: $22,668 Median annual household income: $81,757 8. Tulsa, OK Tulsa, Oklahoma. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 43.3% Median annual childcare cost: $10,860 Median annual housing cost: $21,879 Median annual household income: $75,570 7. Akron, OH Akron, Ohio. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 43.2% Median annual childcare cost: $13,896 Median annual housing cost: $20,133 Median annual household income: $78,753 6. Baton Rouge, LA Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 42.5% Median annual childcare cost: $10,968 Median annual housing cost: $21,639 Median annual household income: $76,675 5. St. Louis, MO St. Louis. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 42.2% Median annual childcare cost: $13,872 Median annual housing cost: $23,552 Median annual household income: $88,593 4. Warren, MI Roseville, Michigan, six miles east of Warren, Michigan. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 42.2% Median annual childcare cost: $13,548 Median annual housing cost: $27,239 Median annual household income: $96,676 3. Des Moines, IA Des Moines, Iowa. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 41.8% Median annual childcare cost: $13,464 Median annual housing cost: $25,835 Median annual household income: $93,984 2. Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 40.8% Median annual childcare cost: $10,884 Median annual housing cost: $21,290 Median annual household income: $78,818 1. Little Rock, AR Little Rock, Arkansas. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 39.8% Median annual childcare cost: $9,612 Median annual housing cost: $19,539 Median annual household income: $73,170 Metros where childcare and housing consume the biggest share 10. Riverside, CA Riverside, California. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 71% Median annual childcare cost: $22,680 Median annual housing cost: $46,277 Median annual household income: $97,116 9. Miami, FL Miami. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 75.3% Median annual childcare cost: $13,080 Median annual housing cost: $45,523 Median annual household income: $77,854 8. Springfield, MA Springfield, Massachusetts. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 75.3% Median annual childcare cost: $26,340 Median annual housing cost: $35,200 Median annual household income: $81,734 7. Oxnard, CA Oxnard, California. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 77.1% Median annual childcare cost: $22,668 Median annual housing cost: $69,227 Median annual household income: $119,133 6. San Diego, CA San Diego. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 82.1% Median annual childcare cost: $22,632 Median annual housing cost: $71,997 Median annual household income: $115,304 5. San Jose, CA San Jose, California. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 83.1% Median annual childcare cost: $22,800 Median annual housing cost: $123,717 Median annual household income: $176,401 4. Anaheim, CA Anaheim, California. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 93.5% Median annual childcare cost: $22,752 Median annual housing cost: $95,218 Median annual household income: $126,178 3. San Francisco, CA San Francisco. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 94.2% Median annual childcare cost: $22,668 Median annual housing cost: $129,978 Median annual household income: $162,118 2. New York, NY New York. full frame sensor Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 95% Median annual childcare cost: $26,796 Median annual housing cost: $66,617 Median annual household income: $98,287 1. Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles. Share of income spent on childcare and housing combined: 96.8% Median annual childcare cost: $22,656 Median annual housing cost: $71,957 Median annual household income: $97,775 Read the original article on Business Insider

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