County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Barbour County, AL

$6,336 a year for center-based infant care - 16.0% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

The going rate for center-based infant care in Barbour County, AL is $6,336/year, while family childcare is $5,453/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 16.0% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $6,066/year, and preschool-age care is $5,741/year.

Barbour County vs. the nation

Barbour County, AL runs $6,336 a year for center-based infant care, 34% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 82% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 16.0% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$6,336/yr
Vs. national avg
-34%
National rank
#471 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
16.0%

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

$6,336
Center Infant/yr
$5,453
Family Infant/yr
$39,712
Median Income
16.0%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $6,336 $5,453
Toddler $6,066 $5,497
Preschool $5,741 $5,497
School Age $5,405 $3,928

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $6,336
Toddler $6,066
Preschool $5,741
School Age $5,405

Where Barbour County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$6,336 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% 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

What These Numbers Mean for Barbour County Families

Household affordability in Barbour County tracks against a median income of $39,712, putting infant center care at 16.0% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 9.0 points.Between 15-20% of income, Barbour County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.

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.

The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 15 years, from 2008 through 2022.

+60.9% since 2008
Infant center care: $3,939 → $6,336
$6,336/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
15 years
Data available (2008–2022)
2008
$3,939
2009
$4,078
2010
$4,217
2011
$4,356
2012
$4,494
2013
$4,633
2014
$4,772
2015
$4,699
2016
$4,627
2017
$4,555
2018
$4,911
2019
$5,268
2020
$5,624
2021
$5,980
2022
$6,336
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 $3,939
2009 $4,078
2010 $4,217
2011 $4,356
2012 $4,494
2013 $4,633
2014 $4,772
2015 $4,699
2016 $4,627
2017 $4,555
2018 $4,911
2019 $5,268
2020 $5,624
2021 $5,980
2022 $6,336

What this means for Barbour County families

Infant center care here takes 16.0% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 16.0% 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 $5,453/year for infants, about $883 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Barbour County compares against the cheapest counties in Alabama. Cheapest in Alabama

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 Barbour County, AL?
Expect to pay $6,336/year for center-based infant care in Barbour County, AL. A family childcare setting runs $5,453/year for infants, and center-based preschool runs $5,741/year.
Is childcare affordable in Barbour County, AL?
Barbour County, AL's median household income is $39,712; center-based infant care eats 16.0% of that. The federal affordability line is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 9.0 percentage points.
Are childcare costs rising in Barbour County, AL?
From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Barbour County, AL changed from $6,336 to $3,939 (-37.8%).
What is the cheapest childcare option in Barbour County, AL?
Barbour County, AL families looking to save money usually pick family childcare over a center: $5,497/year for preschool versus $5,741/year at a center, a $244/year gap. Group sizes run smaller in a home-based setting.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Barbour County, AL?
Before- and after-school programs for ages 6-12 run $5,405/year at a center in Barbour County, AL and $3,928/year for family childcare. That covers before-school drop-off, after-school pickup, and summer coverage for working parents.