Childcare costs in Charlevoix County, MI
$6,926 a year for center-based infant care - 9.9% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Charlevoix County, MI costs $6,926/year, while family childcare is $7,663/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 9.9% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $6,926/year, and preschool-age care is $6,926/year.
Charlevoix County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Charlevoix County, MI ranks #731 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Charlevoix County, MI runs $6,926 a year for center-based infant care, 28% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 72% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 9.9% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $6,926/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -28%
- Corpus placement
- #731 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 9.9%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $6,926
- Center Infant/yr
- $7,663
- Family Infant/yr
- $69,764
- Median Income
- 9.9%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $6,926 | $7,663 |
| Toddler | $6,926 | $7,886 |
| Preschool | $6,926 | $7,886 |
| School Age | $5,782 | $5,598 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Charlevoix County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$6,926 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% 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 Charlevoix 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 | $6,926 | $7,663 | $-737 (-9.6%) |
| Toddler | $6,926 | $7,886 | $-960 (-12.2%) |
| Preschool | $6,926 | $7,886 | $-960 (-12.2%) |
| School Age | $5,782 | $5,598 | +$184 (+3.3%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $26,560/year versus $29,033/year for family care ($2,473 less at a center). Infant center care runs 1.2× school-age center care here. Among the 83Michigan counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Charlevoix County ranks #32 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Charlevoix County Families
Household affordability in Charlevoix County tracks against a median income of $69,764, putting infant center care at 9.9% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 2.9 points.Charlevoix County families generally find care more manageable than the national picture, though waitlists at licensed providers remain the real bottleneck.
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)
The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 15 years, from 2008 through 2022.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $7,027 |
| 2009 | $6,254 |
| 2010 | $6,783 |
| 2011 | $7,312 |
| 2012 | $7,555 |
| 2013 | $7,797 |
| 2014 | $8,054 |
| 2015 | $8,311 |
| 2016 | $8,722 |
| 2017 | $9,135 |
| 2018 | $9,547 |
| 2019 | $8,237 |
| 2020 | $6,926 |
| 2021 | $5,617 |
| 2022 | $6,926 |
What this means for Charlevoix County families
Infant center care here takes 9.9% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 9.9% 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
- See how Charlevoix County compares against the cheapest counties in Michigan. Cheapest in Michigan
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.