Cost Comparison
Daycare vs nanny vs au pair -- total annual cost including all hidden expenses.
3 articles
The True Cost of a Nanny vs Daycare After Taxes (2026)
A nanny posted at $25/hour doesn't actually cost $52,000/year — once you add Schedule H, FUTA, workers' comp, and lost DCFSA leverage, the real number is closer to $61,000. Daycare's sticker is high but its tax math is cleaner. Here's how the comparison actually shakes out.
Read more →Au Pair Program Economics vs Nanny: 2026 Total Cost Worked Out
Au pairs cost $22,000–$25,000 all-in for up to 45 hours of care per week — about a third of a full-time nanny. The trade-offs are real (J-1 visa, 12-month contract, room and board) but for many families the after-tax math is decisive.
Read more →Center vs Family-Home Daycare: The Cost vs Quality Tradeoff Most Parents Don't Run
Family-home daycare costs 25–40% less than center-based care for the same age. The trade-offs are real but often misunderstood — accreditation, ratios, and curriculum vary much more within each format than between them. Here's how to actually compare.
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