Childcare costs in Gray County, KS
$4,971 a year for center-based infant care - 6.7% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Gray County, KS is $4,971/year, while family childcare is $5,117/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 6.7% of the median household income - meeting the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $5,075/year, and preschool-age care is $5,075/year.
Gray County vs. the nation
Gray County, KS runs $4,971 a year for center-based infant care, 48% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 97% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 6.7% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $4,971/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -48%
- National rank
- #3 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 6.7%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $4,971
- Center Infant/yr
- $5,117
- Family Infant/yr
- $74,500
- Median Income
- 6.7%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $4,971 | $5,117 |
| Toddler | $5,075 | $4,333 |
| Preschool | $5,075 | $4,333 |
| School Age | $4,285 | $4,333 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Gray County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$4,971 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% 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 Gray County Families
Weighed against a $74,500 median household income, Gray County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 6.7% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family stays within the federal affordability line.Gray 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)
15 years of federal survey data (2008–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $4,805 |
| 2009 | $4,482 |
| 2010 | $4,160 |
| 2011 | $4,285 |
| 2012 | $4,410 |
| 2013 | $4,992 |
| 2014 | $5,169 |
| 2015 | $5,346 |
| 2016 | $5,522 |
| 2017 | $5,699 |
| 2018 | $5,554 |
| 2019 | $5,408 |
| 2020 | $5,262 |
| 2021 | $5,117 |
| 2022 | $4,971 |
What this means for Gray County families
Infant center care here takes 6.7% of the typical household income, within the HHS 7% affordability line.
- See how Gray County compares against the cheapest counties in Kansas. Cheapest in Kansas
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.