Feb 11, 2026 - Parenting
San Diego is among the priciest cities for babysitters
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San Diego is among the top 10 cities for most expensive babysitters, but still below the national average, according to new UrbanSitter data.
Why it matters: Babysitters are another piece of the puzzle for families dealing with increased prices for child care, food and housing.
By the numbers: San Diego parents are paying more than $24 per hour on average for one child and $27 per hour for two children, the sitter-finding platform says.
- That's the ninth-highest rate, but below the national average of $26.24/hour for one child and $29.87/hour for two.
- San Francisco ($29.63/hour for one kid) and Seattle ($27.70/hour) have the highest rates in UrbanSitter's report.
- Columbus, Dallas and San Antonio all had hourly averages below $20.
The bottom line: Prices have been steadily rising, up from $17.53/hour for one kid and $21.61/hour for two in 2022, according to UrbanSitter.
- Families could be paying as much as $500 a week for infant care, according to data from the San Diego County YMCA.
Yes, but: The average babysitter wage is more than the city's minimum wage of $17.75/hour.