Parents aim to create a nurturing environment for their children. Raising a child, however, is not cheap, and to provide children with food, clothing, health care, and any other needs, most parents must work. Going to work entails leaving young children in the care of others, be it friends, neighbors, family members, or professional day care centers.

In most American counties, annual average child care costs exceed $6,000 per year, though it can be significantly higher in some places. In some American counties, child care costs are more than double that $6,000 figure. These places tend to be the most affluent in America.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator to determine the county with the most expensive child care in each state for a two-parent, single-child household.

Per family, child care costs largely depend on how much child care is required. “Over 11 million children under the age of five are in some type of child care arrangement each week. On average, these children spend 36 hours a week in child care,” said RaeAnn Pickett, senior manager of public relations for Child Care Aware of America, a child care advocacy group, in an email exchange with 24/7 Wall St.

If they can afford it, parents sometimes opt for more expensive child care providers that have amenities like high-quality education programs, CPR certification, or activities like yoga. For many parents, the cost of child care has influenced their career decisions. While all parents want the best for their children, those earning higher incomes are can pay more for what might be considered the very best care.

Click here to see the counties with the most expensive child care in every state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.