More ‘Transitory’ Non-flation: Child Care Costs Are Soaring

As the middle class erodes in the US, we have pointed out the many things that have continued to financially squeeze what is left of The American Dream out of the average joe, from rent becoming increasingly unaffordable to healthcare premiums exploding higher. We now have another expense that is taking a toll financially on the average American family, and that is child care.
Child care expenses have climbed nearly twice as fast as overall prices since the recession ended in 2009 the WSJ reports, and coupled with lackluster wage gains, families with young children are finding themselves stretched financially.
As the WSJ points out, the cost of child care is so high that in 41 states, the cost of sending a 4 year old to full-time preschool exceeds 10% of a median family income, and full-time preschool is more expensive than the average tuition at public college in 23 states. Care for an infant even costs more than the average rent in 17 states.
Since the recession ended in 2009, the cost of child care and nursery school has increased at a 2.9% annual average, outpacing overall inflation of 1.6% during that seven year period.

This post was published at Zero Hedge on Jul 2, 2016.