Compare the true costs of daycare versus hiring a nanny with our comprehensive calculator. Includes tax benefits (DCFSA & CDCC), commute time, mileage costs, and productivity impacts to help you make the best childcare decision. Also considering hosting an au pair? Compare au pair, nanny and daycare costs, including agency fees, room and board, and backup care.
- Cash
- DCFSA Savings
- CDCC Credit
- Time Cost
- Mileage Cost
- Productivity
Annual amounts; negative bars reduce total cost
| Item | Daycare | Nanny |
|---|---|---|
| Cash childcare cost (annual) | $18,000 | $56,594 |
| DCFSA used | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| DCFSA tax savings | $2,250 | $2,250 |
| Expenses eligible for CDCC | $0 | $0 |
| CDCC rate | 35% | 35% |
| CDCC amount | $0 | $0 |
| Time + commute (incl. productivity) | $5,254 | -$1,920 |
| After-tax net cost (annual) | $21,004 | $52,424 |
Notes:
(1) DCFSA benefits reduce both remaining qualified expenses and the $3,000/$6,000 CDCC expense limit, preventing a double benefit
(2) CDCC treated as nonrefundable and capped by your available liability input
(3) Productivity hours are valued at your chosen $/hour
(4) Non-live-in nanny hours over 40 use 1.5× overtime; paid nanny wages use the entered weeks per year
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