Childcare costs in Buena Vista City, VA
$8,848 a year for center-based infant care - 18.1% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Buena Vista City, VA families pay $8,848/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $6,055/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 18.1% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,280/year, and preschool-age care is $7,280/year.
Buena Vista City vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Buena Vista City, VA ranks #1,272 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Center-based infant care costs $8,848 a year in Buena Vista City, VA, coming in 8% below the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 52% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 18.1% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $8,848/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -8%
- Corpus placement
- #1,272 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 18.1%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $8,848
- Center Infant/yr
- $6,055
- Family Infant/yr
- $48,783
- Median Income
- 18.1%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $8,848 | $6,055 |
| Toddler | $7,280 | $6,500 |
| Preschool | $7,280 | $6,500 |
| School Age | $7,020 | $9,286 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Buena Vista City ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$8,848 more affordable than 52% 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 Buena Vista City
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 | $8,848 | $6,055 | +$2,793 (+46.1%) |
| Toddler | $7,280 | $6,500 | +$780 (+12%) |
| Preschool | $7,280 | $6,500 | +$780 (+12%) |
| School Age | $7,020 | $9,286 | $-2,266 (-24.4%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $30,428/year versus $28,341/year for family care ($2,087 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.26× school-age center care here. Among the 134Virginia counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Buena Vista City ranks #42 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Buena Vista City Families
Weighed against a $48,783 median household income, Buena Vista City's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 18.1% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 11.1 points.Between 15-20% of income, Buena Vista City 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)
13 years of federal survey data (2009–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | $7,280 |
| 2010 | $7,280 |
| 2011 | $7,280 |
| 2012 | $7,280 |
| 2013 | $7,713 |
| 2014 | $8,147 |
| 2015 | $8,580 |
| 2016 | $8,580 |
| 2017 | $8,580 |
| 2018 | $8,580 |
| 2019 | $8,580 |
| 2020 | $8,580 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $8,848 |
What this means for Buena Vista City families
Infant center care here takes 18.1% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 18.1% 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 $6,055/year for infants, about $2,793 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Buena Vista City 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.