Childcare costs in Bell County, KY
$5,224 a year for center-based infant care - 15.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Bell County, KY costs $5,224/year, while family childcare is $5,989/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 15.5% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $4,848/year, and preschool-age care is $4,848/year.
Bell County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Bell County, KY ranks #95 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Bell County, KY runs $5,224 a year for center-based infant care, 46% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 96% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 15.5% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $5,224/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -46%
- Corpus placement
- #95 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 15.5%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $5,224
- Center Infant/yr
- $5,989
- Family Infant/yr
- $33,658
- Median Income
- 15.5%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $5,224 | $5,989 |
| Toddler | $4,848 | $4,306 |
| Preschool | $4,848 | $4,306 |
| School Age | $4,486 | $4,306 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Bell County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$5,224 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% of 2,662 US counties
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 Bell 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 | $5,224 | $5,989 | $-765 (-12.8%) |
| Toddler | $4,848 | $4,306 | +$542 (+12.6%) |
| Preschool | $4,848 | $4,306 | +$542 (+12.6%) |
| School Age | $4,486 | $4,306 | +$180 (+4.2%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $19,406/year versus $18,907/year for family care ($499 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.16× school-age center care here. Among the 120Kentucky counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Bell County ranks #9 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Bell County Families
Bell County's median household income of $33,658 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 15.5% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 8.5 points.Between 15-20% of income, Bell 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.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
15 years of federal survey data (2008–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $4,447 |
| 2009 | $4,555 |
| 2010 | $4,663 |
| 2011 | $4,772 |
| 2012 | $5,097 |
| 2013 | $5,423 |
| 2014 | $5,766 |
| 2015 | $6,110 |
| 2016 | $5,915 |
| 2017 | $5,720 |
| 2018 | $5,621 |
| 2019 | $5,522 |
| 2020 | $5,423 |
| 2021 | $5,323 |
| 2022 | $5,224 |
What this means for Bell County families
Infant center care here takes 15.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 15.5% 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
- See how Bell County compares against the cheapest counties in Kentucky. Cheapest in Kentucky
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.