How Ohio's child care costs compare nationwide
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Ohio child care costs are among the nation's most expensive when compared to incomes, with the average single mother allocating about a third or more of her pay, per the latest report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Why it matters: It's easier for parents to work full-time when they have access to affordable, high-quality child care.
- A lack of options is keeping workers — especially women, who typically earn less than men — out of an already tight labor market.
- Plus, early childhood programs support development for young kids.
Context: The pandemic has exacerbated the U.S. child care system's existing problems, including dwindling workers, low pay, high costs, waitlists and poor access.
By the numbers: In Ohio, $11,302 ($941 a month) was the average annual cost for center-based care for one toddler in 2022, per the report. That's 39% of a single mother's median income, or 11% for a married couple.
- Home-based care cost $8,761 ($730 a month), or 30% of a single mother's median income and 8% for a couple.
Of note: 36% of Ohio children lived in single-parent households in 2021, per Census data.
Zoom out: Just four states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Colorado — and Washington, D.C., have single mothers spending a larger percentage of their income on child care center costs.
Between the lines: 13% of Ohio children age 5 or younger had a parent change jobs due to child care problems between 2020-21, per the report.
- Single mothers, families in poverty and families of color are disproportionately affected.
👀 Eye-popping stats: Despite high costs for families, child care businesses operate on thin profit margins of typically less than 1%.
- Prices have risen 220% since 1990, significantly outpacing inflation.
- Yes, but: Child care workers — 94% of whom are women — make less than 98% of other U.S. professions, leading to staff turnover. Median annual pay is $28,520 ($13.71 hourly).
What's next: The report encourages greater investment from local, state and federal governments.
What we're watching: The Ohio Senate's state budget proposal has reduced how many families would qualify for public child care support, capping income eligibility at 145% of the federal poverty line.
- Gov. Mike DeWine and the House proposed expanding eligibility to 160%, up from a current 142%. DeWine must sign the budget by June 30.