How much does it cost to start a daycare in New York?

Starting a daycare in New York costs approximately $250,206 in the first year — $95,370 upfront and $12,903/month in ongoing costs, adjusted for New York's cost of living (187.0% of the national average).

What is the LLC filing fee in NY?

The LLC filing fee in NY is $200. New York requires LLCs to publish a formation notice in two newspapers ($500–$2,000+). Budget for this significant extra cost.

How does New York's viability score compare to other cities?

New York scores 58/100 across four dimensions: entry cost (9/25), market opportunity (15/25), business climate (9/25), and labor costs (25/25). Compare with other cities using the table below.

Should I Start a Daycare in New York? (2026 Viability Score)

Q: Should I start a daycare in New York?

Based on 2026 data, New York scores 58/100 for daycare viability — a moderate rating. The score factors in $95,370 in startup costs (adjusted for New York's 187.0% cost-of-living index), $200 LLC filing fee, SUTA tax rate of 0.025%, and a workers' comp rate of 0.0135%.

Daycare viability in New York, NY — 58/100 (Moderate). Scores four factors: startup cost, market size, business climate, and labor taxes.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026 Open Methodology →

Data current as of March 2026 Sources: SBA, BLS, Secretary of State filings, COLI data

58 / 100

Moderate

New York scores 58/100 for daycare viability in 2026 — a moderate rating. Some factors work in your favor, but New York has tradeoffs worth weighing before you commit. First-year startup costs run approximately $250,206, adjusted for local costs (187.0% of the national average).

Score Breakdown

9/25

Entry Cost

First-year startup cost adjusted for COL

$250,206 year one

15/25

Market Size

Population × spending power

0 residents

9/25

Business Climate

LLC fees + state income tax

$200 LLC filing fee

25/25

Labor Costs

SUTA + workers' comp rates

SUTA 0.025% · WC 0.0135%

Cost Snapshot for New York

Item	Amount
One-time startup costs	$95,370
Monthly operating costs	$12,903/mo
First-year total	$250,206
LLC filing fee (NY)	$200
Employer SUTA rate (NY)	0.025%
Workers' comp rate (NY)	0.0135%
Cost-of-living index	187.0 (US avg = 100)

All costs adjusted for New York's cost-of-living index. National averages used for worker cost rates.

How New York Compares

City	Score	COL Index	Verdict
New York, NY (this city)	58	187.0	Moderate
Boston, MA	56	152.0	Moderate
Los Angeles, CA	63	152.0	Good Fit
Seattle, WA	65	149.0	Good Fit

Go Deeper

Can I Afford It?

Enter your savings and financing to see your funding gap for a daycare in New York.

Profitability Calculator

Model monthly revenue, margins, and break-even for a daycare in New York.

Full Cost Breakdown

Line-by-line startup cost breakdown for a daycare in New York.

Form an LLC in NY

Step-by-step guide to registering your daycare as an LLC in NY.

How the Viability Score Works

The score combines four data-driven dimensions, each worth up to 25 points. It measures conditions in New York, not your personal finances — a low score means the environment is harder, not that the business can't succeed.

Entry Cost (0–25)

First-year startup cost adjusted for New York's cost-of-living index. Lower cost markets score higher.

Market Size (0–25)

City population scaled by cost-of-living index (a proxy for consumer spending power). Larger, wealthier markets score higher.

Business Climate (0–25)

LLC filing fee, annual report fees, and whether the state has a personal income tax. Lower fees and no income tax score higher.

Labor Costs (0–25)

State SUTA (unemployment tax) rate and workers' compensation rate. Lower payroll tax burden scores higher.

Data sources: SBA.gov (LLC fees), BLS QCEW (SUTA rates), NCCI (workers' comp), COLI (cost-of-living). Updated 2026.

Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

Was this calculator helpful?

Your feedback helps us improve CostCrunch

Save Your Results

Download a professional PDF report with your complete analysis, charts, and key insights.

More Business Calculators

Break-Even Calculator

Find how many units to sell to cover costs

Employee Cost Calculator

Find the true cost of hiring an employee

Startup Cost Estimator

Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs

Profit Margin Calculator

Calculate gross, operating, and net margins

Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Estimate SE tax and quarterly payments for freelancers

Loan Comparison

Compare loan options side by side

Markup & Margin

Convert between markup and margin percentages

Payroll Tax Calculator

Estimate employer payroll taxes by state

Get notified when tax rates change

We monitor payroll tax rates, SUTA, and cost-of-living data across all 50 states. When rates change, we'll let you know. Free, no spam.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.