How Richmond babysitting rates stack up
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Average babysitting rates rose nearly 5% last year, hitting $26.24 per hour for one child, per a new report from UrbanSitter.
Why it matters: Parents face at least $50 in extra costs for a two-hour Valentine's date night this weekend, or more if they have multiple kids and want to swing dinner and a show.
By the numbers: The $26.24 rate is the national average, per UrbanSitter, which didn't include Richmond in its study.
- The average starting pay for a babysitter for one kid in Richmond ranges from $18.25 an hour on Care.com, and $20 an hour, per SitterCity, to $22, in local babysitting Facebook groups.
Reality check: Some local sitters can be found for $15, per a review of Facebook groups, but those are generally teenagers.
Rates tend to be higher in places with steeper costs of living.
- San Francisco ($29.63/hour for 1 kid) and Seattle ($27.70/hr) have some of the highest rates in UrbanSitter's report.
The bottom line: Child care is only getting more expensive, even if it's just for a few hours out for a night.