Tennessee
$12,249
Infant center / yr · rank #35
- Preschool / yr
- $8,469
- Two-child / yr
- $20,718
- Infant % income
- 14.8%
- Two-child % income
- 25%
Compare different states
2025 prices
2025 pricesTennessee vs California Childcare Cost
Tennessee has lower infant center care by $9,696 per year. Compare infant and preschool center costs, two-child totals, and share of median family income.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2025
Lower infant center cost
Tennessee is lower
$9,696 less per year for infant center care vs California.
Side-by-side childcare scoreboard
California
$21,945
Infant center / yr · rank #4
- Preschool / yr
- $13,020
- Two-child / yr
- $34,965
- Infant % income
- 18.4%
- Two-child % income
- 29.4%
Key takeaways — Tennessee vs California childcare
- Tennessee has lower infant center tuition by $9,696/yr ($12,249 vs $21,945).
- Tennessee infant rank #35; California #4 (#1 = highest price). Preschool ranks: #41 vs #19.
- Tennessee has the lighter infant income burden at 14.8% vs 18.4% of median family income—both exceed the 7% HHS cap.
- Two-child center totals: $20,718/yr in Tennessee (25% income) vs $34,965/yr in California (29.4%).
- Tennessee is easier on a median-income budget for two center slots (share gap 4.4%).
- Federal dependent-care FSA (up to $5,000/yr) and the CDCTC apply in both states—they do not change the market gaps above.
Tennessee vs California childcare scorecard
Infant and preschool tuition, two-child totals, income burden, and national ranks side by side.
| Metric | Tennessee | California |
|---|---|---|
| Infant center / yr | $12,249 · rank #35 | $21,945 · rank #4 |
| Preschool 4-yr / yr | $8,469 · rank #41 | $13,020 · rank #19 |
| Two-child center / yrInfant + preschool illustration | $20,718 | $34,965 |
| Infant % median incomeHHS cap 7% | 14.8% | 18.4% |
| Two-child % median income | 25% | 29.4% |
| Affordability rank (infant burden)#1 = least affordable vs income | #22 | #5 |
| Median family income | $82,836 | $119,071 |
Annual cost ladder — Tennessee vs California
Center-based market averages for infant only, preschool only, and infant plus preschool (two-child illustration).
| Scenario | Tennessee | California | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant center only | $12,249 | $21,945 | $9,696 |
| Preschool 4-yr only | $8,469 | $13,020 | $4,551 |
| Infant + preschool (annual) | $20,718 | $34,965 | $14,247 |
How to read this comparison
Tennessee vs California childcare costs in 2025
Families comparing Tennessee and California usually start with infant center tuition, then layer preschool for a second child and check each state’s median-income burden. This page uses the same 2025 Child Care Aware / EPI lineage table as the hub and state profiles.
Tennessee wins on infant tuition by $9,696/yr, but the “better” state for your family also depends on wages, subsidies, and commute patterns.
Open each state profile for neighbor tables and monthly equivalents, or swap states with the pair picker.
Preschool and two-child totals: Tennessee vs California
Preschool (4-year-old) center care is $8,469/yr in Tennessee and $13,020/yr in California—a gap of $4,551.
One infant plus one preschool center slot totals $20,718/yr in Tennessee versus $34,965/yr in California ($14,247 difference). That illustration assumes staggered ages, not twins.
Income burden ranks can invert dollar ranks: compare infant share and two-child share columns, not tuition alone.
Affordability and HHS 7% context
HHS defines affordable childcare at 7% of family income or less. Tennessee infant care is 14.8% of median income; California is 18.4%—both above the cap in this dataset.
Median family income differs ($82,836 in Tennessee vs $119,071 in California), which is why price rank and burden rank need not align.
State subsidies, employer stipends, and free-care pilots can shrink out-of-pocket cost below these averages—verify net price separately.
Tax benefits and planning (both states)
Dependent-care FSAs and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit follow federal rules in Tennessee and California. A lower-tuition state still requires cash-flow planning; a higher-tuition state may still offer stronger state credits or subsidies.
Market averages here do not net out FSA contributions or refundable credits. Model gross tuition first, then ask HR about FSA limits and run IRS-eligible expense worksheets.
For related federal Child Tax Credit context (distinct from dependent care), see our child tax credit calculator—illustration only, not personalized advice.
Who this Tennessee vs California comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Parents choosing between living in Tennessee vs California.
- •Dual-income households comparing center tuition and income burden.
- •Relocating employees weighing gross tuition against local median wages.
- •Anyone sizing infant vs preschool gaps before a second child starts school.
Use official tools if…
- •You need subsidy eligibility or copay quotes for either state.
- •You rely on nanny share, family child care, or part-time care only.
- •You need tuition from specific zip codes or named providers.
- •You need legal advice on custody or employer reimbursement disputes.
Tennessee vs California checklist
Before treating the tuition gap as a relocation or budget decision.
- 1Compare infant $12,249 (TN) vs $21,945 (CA).
- 2Check infant income share 14.8% vs 18.4% against 7%.
- 3Add preschool and two-child totals if both children use center care.
- 4Confirm local center quotes—state averages hide county spreads.
- 5Open Tennessee and California profiles for neighbors and monthly examples.
- 6Model FSA and CDCTC after gross tuition.
- 7Verify state subsidies that may not appear in market averages.
Infant: $12,249 (TN) vs $21,945 (CA).
Market prices vs tax benefits
Figures are center-based market averages. Dependent-care FSAs and the federal child care credit may reduce taxes but not list prices. See our child tax credit calculator for related federal credit context.
HHS affordability
HHS treats childcare as affordable at 7% of income or less. Both states exceed that for a single infant slot (14.8% vs 18.4%).
Tennessee vs California childcare FAQs
Tennessee has lower center-based infant care by $9,696 per year. Tennessee: $12,249/yr (14.8% of median family income). California: $21,945/yr (18.4%).
Tennessee center-based preschool (4-year-old) averages $8,469/yr ($706/mo). California: $13,020/yr ($1,085/mo)—a gap of $4,551.
One infant plus one preschool center slot totals $20,718/yr in Tennessee (25% of median family income) vs $34,965/yr in California (29.4%).
HHS defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of family income. In this dataset, infant center costs exceed that threshold in every state; Tennessee is 14.8% and California is 18.4% for one infant slot.
Federal dependent-care FSA contributions are capped at $5,000 per year ($2,500 if married filing separately). The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit may also offset part of eligible work-related care. Amounts depend on income, care type, and employer plan rules—use our child tax credit calculator for illustration only. Some states offer additional credits or subsidies not modeled here.
This comparison uses center-based annual averages for infant care and for a 4-year-old in center-based preschool. Family child care, nanny costs, and part-time schedules differ. Verify current prices with local providers and state Child Care Aware fact sheets.
Tennessee is lower by $9,696/yr ($12,249 vs $21,945).
Tennessee: $8,469/yr. California: $13,020/yr. Gap: $4,551.
Tennessee has the lower infant share at 14.8% vs 18.4% of median family income—still above the 7% HHS benchmark.
$20,718/yr in Tennessee vs $34,965/yr in California—difference $14,247 before subsidies.
Open the Tennessee profile (/childcare-cost-by-state/tennessee) and California profile (/childcare-cost-by-state/california) for neighbor tables, monthly examples, and planning checklists.
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Center-based infant and preschool costs with income burden.
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Center-based averages for a 2025 price year. Subsidies, employer benefits, and home-based care differ from these totals.