Childcare costs in Dare County, NC
$11,967 a year for center-based infant care - 15.0% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Dare County, NC is $11,967/year, while family childcare is $9,983/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 15.0% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $10,623/year, and preschool-age care is $9,209/year.
Dare County vs. the nation
Center-based infant care costs $11,967 a year in Dare County, NC, coming in 25% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 18% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 15.0% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $11,967/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +25%
- National rank
- #2,189 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 15.0%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $11,967
- Center Infant/yr
- $9,983
- Family Infant/yr
- $79,742
- Median Income
- 15.0%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $11,967 | $9,983 |
| Toddler | $10,623 | $8,423 |
| Preschool | $9,209 | $8,475 |
| School Age | $5,295 | $6,066 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Dare County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$11,967 more affordable than 18% 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 Dare County Families
Household affordability in Dare County tracks against a median income of $79,742, putting infant center care at 15.0% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 8.0 points.Dare 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)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2014 to 2022, across 8 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 | $11,530 |
| 2015 | $11,248 |
| 2016 | $11,138 |
| 2017 | $11,029 |
| 2018 | $10,919 |
| 2019 | $10,809 |
| 2020 | $10,700 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $11,967 |
What this means for Dare County families
Infant center care here takes 15.0% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 15.0% 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 $9,983/year for infants, about $1,984 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Dare County compares against the cheapest counties in North Carolina. Cheapest in North Carolina
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.