Childcare costs in Butte County, CA
$18,410 a year for center-based infant care - 27.9% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Butte County, CA costs $18,410/year, while family childcare is $15,135/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 27.9% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,247/year, and preschool-age care is $9,313/year.
Butte County vs. the nation
Butte County, CA runs $18,410 a year for center-based infant care, 92% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 3% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 27.9% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $18,410/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +92%
- National rank
- #2,573 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 27.9%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $18,410
- Center Infant/yr
- $15,135
- Family Infant/yr
- $66,085
- Median Income
- 27.9%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $18,410 | $15,135 |
| Toddler | $11,247 | $12,593 |
| Preschool | $9,313 | $11,693 |
| School Age | $4,507 | $10,087 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Butte County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$18,410 more affordable than 3% 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
What These Numbers Mean for Butte County Families
Weighed against a $66,085 median household income, Butte County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 27.9% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 20.9 points.At over 20% of income, Butte 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.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
14 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 | $11,701 |
| 2009 | $12,794 |
| 2010 | $12,828 |
| 2011 | $12,864 |
| 2012 | $12,899 |
| 2013 | $12,836 |
| 2014 | $12,773 |
| 2015 | $13,303 |
| 2016 | $13,833 |
| 2017 | $14,399 |
| 2018 | $14,964 |
| 2019 | $15,530 |
| 2020 | $16,095 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $18,410 |
What this means for Butte County families
Infant center care here takes 27.9% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 27.9% 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 $15,135/year for infants, about $3,275 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Butte County compares against the cheapest counties in California. Cheapest in California
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.