There's more of everything in the Empire State, except space, and that keeps child-care costs high.
Programs in New York City, for example, must pay rents that are among the highest in the country.
And just like in Massachusetts, strict rules on the number of children per caretaker lead to higher overall costs.
"We really do have strong regulations and that's a challenge," said Marsha Basloe, executive director of Early Care & Learning Council in New York.
Still, many centers recognize the issue and are trying to make it easier for parents feeling the squeeze.
"Child care programs are doing what they can to keep it affordable with modified hours or flexible schedules for parents that cannot afford full time."
In Massachusetts, the cost of child care for a two-parent, middle-class family averages 16% of their annual income. In Mississippi, costs average 7.3%. See how your state ranks.
