(NewsNation) — Amid rising inflation, child care costs are placing a financial strain on Americans.

A report from the nonprofit group Child Care Aware of America reveals that the cost for two children surpasses the average rent in all 50 U.S. states.

Consequently, some groups are urging the federal government to provide financial support for child care.

Child care rose 3.7% from 2022 to 2023

Child care costs for two kids at a center per year are now at least 25% higher than rent in 11 states, and in Washington, D.C., the costs are at least double. Mortgage payments are also being outpaced by child care costs in 45 states.

According to the report, the average family with two kids at a center pays about $20,000 yearly across the Midwest, South, and West, while in the Northeast, the cost is more than $32,000.

The national average cost for child care increased by 3.7% to $11,582 from 2022 to 2023. According to the report, it would cost 10% of a married couple’s median income to afford this price and 32% of a single parent’s income to afford this price, outpacing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommended target of 7%.

Parents nationwide are feeling the financial strain.

“It’s $1,500 alone a month just for him, that’s more than half of my check,” said Patricia Tobar, who is a mom.

“We haven’t been able to raise our child care rates and we have parents that are leaving because of the cost of living,” said Cherlita Robertson, a child care center director.

Advocates urge Congress to step in

If parents are feeling the squeeze, so are child care workers.

The coronavirus pandemic forced about 16,000 child care providers to close, and with relief funding expired, more closures could be coming.

A report from the National Women’s Law Center estimates Congress needs to invest at least $16 billion yearly into child care funding to address what some call a child care crisis.