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County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Clark County, ID

$6,602 a year for center-based infant care - 12.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

The going rate for center-based infant care in Clark County, ID is $6,602/year, while family childcare is $5,680/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 12.3% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $6,322/year, and preschool-age care is $5,855/year.

Clark County vs. the nation

At $6,602 a year for center-based infant care, Clark County, ID is 31% below the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 79% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 12.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$6,602/yr
Vs. national avg
-31%
National rank
#544 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
12.3%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$6,602
Center Infant/yr
$5,680
Family Infant/yr
$53,500
Median Income
12.3%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $6,602 $5,680
Toddler $6,322 $5,650
Preschool $5,855 $5,298
School Age $5,640 $5,307

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $6,602
Toddler $6,322
Preschool $5,855
School Age $5,640

Where Clark County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices

$6,602 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% of 2,662 US counties

This county $2,500 $32,500 every U.S. county, bucketed by value

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 Clark County Families

Clark County's median household income of $53,500 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 12.3% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 5.3 points.Clark 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.

The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 11 years, from 2012 through 2022.

+26.2% since 2012
Infant center care: $5,231 → $6,602
$6,602/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
11 years
Data available (2012–2022)
2012
$5,231
2013
$5,059
2014
$4,887
2015
$4,715
2016
$4,946
2017
$5,298
2018
$5,650
2019
$5,867
2020
$6,083
2021
$6,300
2022
$6,602
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 N/A
2009 N/A
2010 N/A
2011 N/A
2012 $5,231
2013 $5,059
2014 $4,887
2015 $4,715
2016 $4,946
2017 $5,298
2018 $5,650
2019 $5,867
2020 $6,083
2021 $6,300
2022 $6,602

What this means for Clark County families

Infant center care here takes 12.3% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 12.3% 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 $5,680/year for infants, about $922 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Clark County compares against the cheapest counties in Idaho. Cheapest in Idaho

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Clark County, ID?
Expect to pay $6,602/year for center-based infant care in Clark County, ID. A family childcare setting runs $5,680/year for infants, and center-based preschool runs $5,855/year.
Is childcare affordable in Clark County, ID?
In Clark County, ID, families spend 12.3% of the $53,500 median household income on center-based infant care. HHS calls anything above 7% unaffordable. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 5.3 percentage points.
What is the cheapest childcare option in Clark County, ID?
The lowest-cost preschool option in Clark County, ID is family childcare, at $5,298/year against $5,855/year for a center, $557/year cheaper. It's run out of a provider's home, usually with a smaller group.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Clark County, ID?
Before- and after-school programs for ages 6-12 run $5,640/year at a center in Clark County, ID and $5,307/year for family childcare. That covers before-school drop-off, after-school pickup, and summer coverage for working parents.