Childcare costs in Clark County, WA
$18,580 a year for center-based infant care - 20.6% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Clark County, WA families pay $18,580/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $12,800/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 20.6% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $12,944/year, and preschool-age care is $12,944/year.
Clark County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Clark County, WA ranks #2,577 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). At $18,580 a year for center-based infant care, Clark County, WA is 94% above the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 3% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 20.6% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $18,580/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +94%
- Corpus placement
- #2,577 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 20.6%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $18,580
- Center Infant/yr
- $12,800
- Family Infant/yr
- $90,115
- Median Income
- 20.6%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $18,580 | $12,800 |
| Toddler | $12,944 | $10,676 |
| Preschool | $12,944 | $10,676 |
| School Age | $9,964 | $9,900 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Clark County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$18,580 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
Full NDCP Care Ladder in Clark 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 | $18,580 | $12,800 | +$5,780 (+45.2%) |
| Toddler | $12,944 | $10,676 | +$2,268 (+21.2%) |
| Preschool | $12,944 | $10,676 | +$2,268 (+21.2%) |
| School Age | $9,964 | $9,900 | +$64 (+0.6%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $54,432/year versus $44,052/year for family care ($10,380 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.86× school-age center care here. Among the 39Washington counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Clark County ranks #23 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Clark County Families
Household affordability in Clark County tracks against a median income of $90,115, putting infant center care at 20.6% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 13.6 points.At over 20% of income, Clark 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)
Center-based infant care costs over 2008–2022 (15 years of NDCP data).
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $10,344 |
| 2009 | $11,532 |
| 2010 | $12,720 |
| 2011 | $12,534 |
| 2012 | $12,348 |
| 2013 | $15,786 |
| 2014 | $19,224 |
| 2015 | $17,643 |
| 2016 | $16,062 |
| 2017 | $14,481 |
| 2018 | $12,900 |
| 2019 | $14,320 |
| 2020 | $15,740 |
| 2021 | $17,160 |
| 2022 | $18,580 |
What this means for Clark County families
Infant center care here takes 20.6% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 20.6% 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 $12,800/year for infants, about $5,780 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 Washington. Cheapest in Washington
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.