Childcare costs in Eau Claire County, WI
$15,236 a year for center-based infant care - 21.7% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Eau Claire County, WI costs $15,236/year, while family childcare is $11,440/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 21.7% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $13,455/year, and preschool-age care is $13,455/year.
Eau Claire County vs. the nation
Eau Claire County, WI runs $15,236 a year for center-based infant care, 59% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 8% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 21.7% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $15,236/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +59%
- National rank
- #2,440 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 21.7%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $15,236
- Center Infant/yr
- $11,440
- Family Infant/yr
- $70,127
- Median Income
- 21.7%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $15,236 | $11,440 |
| Toddler | $13,455 | $10,400 |
| Preschool | $13,455 | $10,400 |
| School Age | $10,660 | $9,360 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Eau Claire County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$15,236 more affordable than 8% 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 Eau Claire County Families
Weighed against a $70,127 median household income, Eau Claire County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 21.7% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 14.7 points.At over 20% of income, Eau Claire 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)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 15 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $9,828 |
| 2009 | $10,192 |
| 2010 | $9,672 |
| 2011 | $9,880 |
| 2012 | $10,140 |
| 2013 | $10,270 |
| 2014 | $10,400 |
| 2015 | $10,712 |
| 2016 | $10,816 |
| 2017 | $10,920 |
| 2018 | $11,544 |
| 2019 | $12,467 |
| 2020 | $13,390 |
| 2021 | $14,313 |
| 2022 | $15,236 |
What this means for Eau Claire County families
Infant center care here takes 21.7% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 21.7% 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 $11,440/year for infants, about $3,796 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Eau Claire County compares against the cheapest counties in Wisconsin. Cheapest in Wisconsin
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.