Many U.S. families struggle to afford child care

The typical American family struggles to afford child care, with a household needing nearly $403,000 annually to cover costs for two children, while the median family income is $105,800. Full-time child care for an infant and a 4-year-old averages $28,000 per year, forcing families to spend 8.9% to 16% of their income on care. Lawmakers are addressing this issue, with initiatives like free child care for 2-year-olds in New York City and pushes for universal Pre-K in other states. Rising costs are prompting difficult choices for parents regarding family size.

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