Childcare costs in Flathead County, MT
$11,547 a year for center-based infant care - 17.0% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Flathead County, MT families pay $11,547/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $9,351/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 17.0% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $12,104/year, and preschool-age care is $10,326/year.
Flathead County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Flathead County, MT ranks #2,100 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Center-based infant care costs $11,547 a year in Flathead County, MT, coming in 20% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 21% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 17.0% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $11,547/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +20%
- Corpus placement
- #2,100 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 17.0%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $11,547
- Center Infant/yr
- $9,351
- Family Infant/yr
- $68,025
- Median Income
- 17.0%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $11,547 | $9,351 |
| Toddler | $12,104 | $9,580 |
| Preschool | $10,326 | $9,580 |
| School Age | $10,326 | $8,849 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Flathead County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$11,547 more affordable than 21% 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 Flathead 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 | $11,547 | $9,351 | +$2,196 (+23.5%) |
| Toddler | $12,104 | $9,580 | +$2,524 (+26.3%) |
| Preschool | $10,326 | $9,580 | +$746 (+7.8%) |
| School Age | $10,326 | $8,849 | +$1,477 (+16.7%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $44,303/year versus $37,360/year for family care ($6,943 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.12× school-age center care here. Among the 56Montana counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Flathead County ranks #37 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Flathead County Families
Household affordability in Flathead County tracks against a median income of $68,025, putting infant center care at 17.0% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 10.0 points.Between 15-20% of income, Flathead County 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.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
8 years of federal survey data (2015–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.
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 | $8,478 |
| 2016 | $8,916 |
| 2017 | $9,355 |
| 2018 | $9,793 |
| 2019 | $10,232 |
| 2020 | $10,670 |
| 2021 | $11,108 |
| 2022 | $11,547 |
What this means for Flathead County families
Infant center care here takes 17.0% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 17.0% 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 $9,351/year for infants, about $2,196 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Flathead 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.