Beverly Research · May 2026
2026 National State of Childcare Report
A 0-100 score for childcare access, affordability, and policy in every US state and 250 cities, built on public federal data.
- $172B annual loss to American families and employers from a system in which infant care averages $17,163 a year and providers earn $15.41 an hour.
- Mothers of children under 5 left the workforce at the fastest six-month pace in 40 years (Jan-Jun 2025).
- None of the 250 US cities scored above 80 on the State of Childcare Index. The typical American metro sits in the "Strained" tier.