Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a babysitter cost in Downey, CA in 2026?
In Downey, CA, the average babysitter earns about $19.96 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $798/week or $3,460/month. Most Downey families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 256 live babysitter listings in Downey on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $798
- Monthly
- $3,460
- Annual
- $41,517
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What drives the price
Most Downey families pay somewhere in the $17–$30/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $19.96 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$20.96 |
| 3+ kids | ~$21.96+ |
Hours & schedule
| Weekday 9–5 (standard) | — |
|---|---|
| Evening/weekend | +$2–4/hr |
| Last-minute | +$3–5/hr |
Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in babysitter rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $21.01/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $19.76/hr | |
| Occasional | 5–15 hrs/week | $19.82/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $19.72/hr |
Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.
Live-in arrangements look cheaper per hour because room and board are part of the package. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the babysitter.
How do Downey babysitter rates compare to state and national averages?
Downey runs above the U.S. average for babysitter rates, in line with most major metros.
Hiring babysitters in Downey, CA typically costs about 2% less than the California average of $20/hour and 19% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Downey, CA | $20/hr | — |
| California | $20/hr | +2% |
| United States | $17/hr | -16% |
Where Downey, CA fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough babysitter data to compare, with rates ranging from $17.69/hour in Fresno to $25.33/hour in San Francisco.
Below: how each compares to the Downey, CA average of $19.96/hour.
Nearby cities ranked by babysitter rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Downey, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $25.33 | +27% | |
| 2 | San Jose | $22.97 | +15% | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $22.27 | +12% | |
| 4 | San Diego | $21.01 | +5% | |
| 5 | Long Beach | $20.58 | +3% | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $19.15 | -4% | |
| 7 | Stockton | $18.58 | -7% | |
| 8 | Riverside | $18.42 | -8% | |
| 9 | Bakersfield | $17.84 | -11% | |
| 10 | Fresno | $17.69 | -11% |
Tips to find a great babysitter without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best babysitters on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced babysitters with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
- Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
- Be specific about hours upfront. Most babysitters will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
- Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
- Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.
How to reduce nanny costs?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a babysitter in Downey, CA
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with babysitters — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse babysitter profiles in Downey, CA
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the babysitters whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 03
Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day
Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a babysitter fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your babysitter
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available babysitters in Downey, CA
256 active listings in Downey
Nanny Antonella
Nanny Antonella
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Nanny Fatima
Nanny Fatima
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Nanny Sydney
Nanny Sydney
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Nanny Tamera
Nanny Tamera
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Nanny Brianna
Nanny Brianna
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Nanny Michelle
Nanny Michelle
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Nanny Aaliyah
Nanny Aaliyah
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Nanny Michelle
Nanny Michelle
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Alexa
Nanny Alexa
A little bit about me
I would love the opportunity to support your family and be a positive presence in your child’s life I always do my best to understand each child’s unique needs and personality.