Childcare costs in Custer County, MT
$12,427 a year for center-based infant care - 20.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Custer County, MT is $12,427/year, while family childcare is $10,028/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 20.3% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $12,869/year, and preschool-age care is $11,096/year.
Custer County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Custer County, MT ranks #2,258 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Center-based infant care costs $12,427 a year in Custer County, MT, coming in 30% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 15% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 20.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $12,427/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +30%
- Corpus placement
- #2,258 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 20.3%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $12,427
- Center Infant/yr
- $10,028
- Family Infant/yr
- $61,114
- Median Income
- 20.3%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $12,427 | $10,028 |
| Toddler | $12,869 | $10,210 |
| Preschool | $11,096 | $10,210 |
| School Age | $11,096 | $9,481 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Custer County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$12,427 more affordable than 15% 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 Custer 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 | $12,427 | $10,028 | +$2,399 (+23.9%) |
| Toddler | $12,869 | $10,210 | +$2,659 (+26%) |
| Preschool | $11,096 | $10,210 | +$886 (+8.7%) |
| School Age | $11,096 | $9,481 | +$1,615 (+17%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $47,488/year versus $39,929/year for family care ($7,559 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.12× school-age center care here. Among the 56Montana counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Custer County ranks #53 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Custer County Families
Household affordability in Custer County tracks against a median income of $61,114, putting infant center care at 20.3% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 13.3 points.At over 20% of income, Custer 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 2015–2022 (8 years of NDCP 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 | $6,169 |
| 2016 | $7,063 |
| 2017 | $7,957 |
| 2018 | $8,851 |
| 2019 | $9,745 |
| 2020 | $10,639 |
| 2021 | $11,534 |
| 2022 | $12,427 |
What this means for Custer County families
Infant center care here takes 20.3% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 20.3% 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 $10,028/year for infants, about $2,399 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Custer County compares against the cheapest counties in Montana. Cheapest in Montana
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.