County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in De Soto Parish, LA

$8,164 a year for center-based infant care - 16.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

Center-based infant care in De Soto Parish, LA costs $8,164/year, while family childcare is $7,127/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 16.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,887/year, and preschool-age care is $7,627/year.

De Soto Parish vs. the nation

Center-based infant care costs $8,164 a year in De Soto Parish, LA, coming in 15% below the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 58% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 16.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$8,164/yr
Vs. national avg
-15%
National rank
#1,113 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
16.4%

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

$8,164
Center Infant/yr
$7,127
Family Infant/yr
$49,807
Median Income
16.4%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $8,164 $7,127
Toddler $7,887 $7,127
Preschool $7,627 $7,170
School Age $6,933 $6,067

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $8,164
Toddler $7,887
Preschool $7,627
School Age $6,933

Where De Soto Parish ranks on infant-care cost

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

$8,164 more affordable than 58% 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 De Soto Parish Families

De Soto Parish's median household income of $49,807 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 16.4% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 9.4 points.Between 15-20% of income, De Soto Parish sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.

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.

Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 15 years of NDCP survey data.

+67.8% since 2008
Infant center care: $4,866 → $8,164
$8,164/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
15 years
Data available (2008–2022)
2008
$4,866
2009
$4,922
2010
$5,200
2011
$5,330
2012
$5,460
2013
$5,564
2014
$5,668
2015
$5,980
2016
$6,292
2017
$6,604
2018
$6,916
2019
$7,228
2020
$7,540
2021
$7,852
2022
$8,164
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 $4,866
2009 $4,922
2010 $5,200
2011 $5,330
2012 $5,460
2013 $5,564
2014 $5,668
2015 $5,980
2016 $6,292
2017 $6,604
2018 $6,916
2019 $7,228
2020 $7,540
2021 $7,852
2022 $8,164

What this means for De Soto Parish families

Infant center care here takes 16.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 16.4% 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 $7,127/year for infants, about $1,037 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how De Soto Parish compares against the cheapest counties in Louisiana. Cheapest in Louisiana

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 De Soto Parish, LA?
In De Soto Parish, LA, center-based infant care costs $8,164/year. Family childcare for infants is $7,127/year. Preschool center-based care costs $7,627/year.
Is childcare affordable in De Soto Parish, LA?
De Soto Parish, LA's median household income is $49,807; center-based infant care eats 16.4% of that. The federal affordability line is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 9.4 percentage points.
Are childcare costs rising in De Soto Parish, LA?
From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in De Soto Parish, LA changed from $8,164 to $4,866 (-40.4%).
What is the cheapest childcare option in De Soto Parish, LA?
Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in De Soto Parish, LA. Preschool family care costs $7,170/year compared to $7,627/year for center-based care, a difference of $457/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in De Soto Parish, LA?
Center-based before/after-school care for 6-12 year olds in De Soto Parish, LA runs $6,933/year and $6,067/year for family childcare, covering the gaps around the school day and summer break.