Childcare costs in Chautauqua County, NY
$12,844 a year for center-based infant care - 23.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Chautauqua County, NY is $12,844/year, while family childcare is $9,880/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 23.5% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,960/year, and preschool-age care is $10,400/year.
Chautauqua County vs. the nation
At $12,844 a year for center-based infant care, Chautauqua County, NY is 34% above the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 13% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 23.5% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $12,844/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +34%
- National rank
- #2,278 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 23.5%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $12,844
- Center Infant/yr
- $9,880
- Family Infant/yr
- $54,625
- Median Income
- 23.5%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $12,844 | $9,880 |
| Toddler | $11,960 | $9,360 |
| Preschool | $10,400 | $9,100 |
| School Age | $10,088 | $9,100 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Chautauqua County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$12,844 more affordable than 13% 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 Chautauqua County Families
Weighed against a $54,625 median household income, Chautauqua County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 23.5% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 16.5 points.At over 20% of income, Chautauqua 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)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2017 to 2022, across 6 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | N/A |
| 2010 | N/A |
| 2011 | N/A |
| 2012 | N/A |
| 2013 | N/A |
| 2014 | N/A |
| 2015 | N/A |
| 2016 | N/A |
| 2017 | $11,985 |
| 2018 | $11,322 |
| 2019 | $10,660 |
| 2020 | $11,388 |
| 2021 | $12,116 |
| 2022 | $12,844 |
What this means for Chautauqua County families
Infant center care here takes 23.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 23.5% 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
- Family childcare homes run $9,880/year for infants, about $2,964 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Chautauqua County compares against the cheapest counties in New York. Cheapest in New York
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.