County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Arlington County, VA

Affordability desert

$29,086 a year for center-based infant care - 21.2% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

Center-based infant care in Arlington County, VA costs $29,086/year, while family childcare is $19,996/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 21.2% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $25,808/year, and preschool-age care is $25,808/year.

Arlington County vs. the nation

According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Arlington County, VA ranks #2,660 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). At $29,086 a year for center-based infant care, Arlington County, VA is 203% above the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 0% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 21.2% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$29,086/yr
Vs. national avg
+203%
Corpus placement
#2,660 of 2,662
Share of income
21.2%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$29,086
Center Infant/yr
$19,996
Family Infant/yr
$137,387
Median Income
21.2%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $29,086 $19,996
Toddler $25,808 $17,770
Preschool $25,808 $17,770
School Age $21,630 $16,558

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $29,086
Toddler $25,808
Preschool $25,808
School Age $21,630

Where Arlington County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices

$29,086 more affordable than 0% of 2,662 US counties

This county $2,500 $32,500 every U.S. county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

Full NDCP Care Ladder in Arlington County

This county reports every age×setting cell in the DOL NDCP survey. That lets us compare the center premium over family care at each age, and how steeply costs fall from infant to school-age.

Age Center Family Center premium
Infant $29,086 $19,996 +$9,090 (+45.5%)
Toddler $25,808 $17,770 +$8,038 (+45.2%)
Preschool $25,808 $17,770 +$8,038 (+45.2%)
School Age $21,630 $16,558 +$5,072 (+30.6%)

Across all four ages, a center path totals $102,332/year versus $72,094/year for family care ($30,238 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.34× school-age center care here. Among the 134Virginia counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Arlington County ranks #134 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).

What These Numbers Mean for Arlington County Families

Household affordability in Arlington County tracks against a median income of $137,387, putting infant center care at 21.2% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 14.2 points.At over 20% of income, Arlington County qualifies as an affordability desert, counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share.

For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.

Center-based infant care costs over 2009–2022 (13 years of NDCP data).

+72.9% since 2009
Infant center care: $16,822 → $29,086
$29,086/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
13 years
Data available (2009–2022)
2009
$16,822
2010
$17,836
2011
$18,850
2012
$19,864
2013
$20,263
2014
$20,661
2015
$21,060
2016
$22,187
2017
$23,313
2018
$24,440
2019
$25,567
2020
$26,693
2022
$29,086
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 N/A
2009 $16,822
2010 $17,836
2011 $18,850
2012 $19,864
2013 $20,263
2014 $20,661
2015 $21,060
2016 $22,187
2017 $23,313
2018 $24,440
2019 $25,567
2020 $26,693
2021 N/A
2022 $29,086

What this means for Arlington County families

Infant center care here takes 21.2% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 21.2% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
  • Family childcare homes run $19,996/year for infants, about $9,090 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Arlington County compares against the cheapest counties in Virginia. Cheapest in Virginia

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Arlington County, VA?
Expect to pay $29,086/year for center-based infant care in Arlington County, VA. A family childcare setting runs $19,996/year for infants, and center-based preschool runs $25,808/year.
Is childcare affordable in Arlington County, VA?
Arlington County, VA's median household income is $137,387; center-based infant care eats 21.2% of that. The federal affordability line is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 14.2 percentage points.
What is the cheapest childcare option in Arlington County, VA?
Arlington County, VA families looking to save money usually pick family childcare over a center: $17,770/year for preschool versus $25,808/year at a center, a $8,038/year gap. Group sizes run smaller in a home-based setting.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Arlington County, VA?
Center-based before/after-school care for 6-12 year olds in Arlington County, VA runs $21,630/year and $16,558/year for family childcare, covering the gaps around the school day and summer break.