Childcare costs in Clay County, AL
$5,927 a year for center-based infant care - 12.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Clay County, AL families pay $5,927/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $5,380/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 $5,918/year, and preschool-age care is $5,918/year.
Clay County vs. the nation
At $5,927 a year for center-based infant care, Clay County, AL is 38% below the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 89% 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)
- $5,927/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -38%
- National rank
- #291 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.
- $5,927
- Center Infant/yr
- $5,380
- Family Infant/yr
- $48,074
- Median Income
- 12.3%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $5,927 | $5,380 |
| Toddler | $5,918 | $5,380 |
| Preschool | $5,918 | $5,380 |
| School Age | $5,268 | $5,481 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Clay County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$5,927 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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 Clay County Families
Weighed against a $48,074 median household income, Clay County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, 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.Clay 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)
Center-based infant care costs over 2008–2022 (15 years of NDCP data).
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $4,301 |
| 2009 | $4,391 |
| 2010 | $4,481 |
| 2011 | $4,570 |
| 2012 | $4,660 |
| 2013 | $4,750 |
| 2014 | $4,839 |
| 2015 | $4,944 |
| 2016 | $5,048 |
| 2017 | $5,153 |
| 2018 | $5,308 |
| 2019 | $5,463 |
| 2020 | $5,617 |
| 2021 | $5,772 |
| 2022 | $5,927 |
What this means for Clay 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 $5,380/year for infants, about $547 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Clay County compares against the cheapest counties in Alabama. Cheapest in Alabama
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.