Childcare costs in Essex County, MA
$24,001 a year for center-based infant care - 25.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Essex County, MA is $24,001/year, while family childcare is $13,000/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 25.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $21,242/year, and preschool-age care is $16,120/year.
Essex County vs. the nation
At $24,001 a year for center-based infant care, Essex County, MA is 150% above the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 0% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 25.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $24,001/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +150%
- National rank
- #2,648 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 25.4%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $24,001
- Center Infant/yr
- $13,000
- Family Infant/yr
- $94,378
- Median Income
- 25.4%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $24,001 | $13,000 |
| Toddler | $21,242 | $11,960 |
| Preschool | $16,120 | $10,400 |
| School Age | $11,180 | $11,115 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Essex County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$24,001 more affordable than 0% 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 Essex County Families
Weighed against a $94,378 median household income, Essex County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 25.4% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 18.4 points.At over 20% of income, Essex 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 | $17,420 |
| 2009 | $17,680 |
| 2010 | $17,940 |
| 2011 | $18,200 |
| 2012 | $18,369 |
| 2013 | $18,538 |
| 2014 | $18,707 |
| 2015 | $18,876 |
| 2016 | $19,500 |
| 2017 | $20,124 |
| 2018 | $20,748 |
| 2019 | $21,561 |
| 2020 | $22,375 |
| 2021 | $23,187 |
| 2022 | $24,001 |
What this means for Essex County families
Infant center care here takes 25.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 25.4% 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 $13,000/year for infants, about $11,001 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Essex County compares against the cheapest counties in Massachusetts. Cheapest in Massachusetts
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.