County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Greenwood County, SC

Affordability desert

$11,558 a year for center-based infant care - 24.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

Greenwood County, SC families pay $11,558/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $8,018/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 24.3% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $10,835/year, and preschool-age care is $8,459/year.

Greenwood County vs. the nation

At $11,558 a year for center-based infant care, Greenwood County, SC is 20% above the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 21% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 24.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$11,558/yr
Vs. national avg
+20%
National rank
#2,105 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
24.3%

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

$11,558
Center Infant/yr
$8,018
Family Infant/yr
$47,553
Median Income
24.3%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $11,558 $8,018
Toddler $10,835 $8,018
Preschool $8,459 $7,449
School Age $8,809 $4,826

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $11,558
Toddler $10,835
Preschool $8,459
School Age $8,809

Where Greenwood County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$11,558 more affordable than 21% 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 Greenwood County Families

Weighed against a $47,553 median household income, Greenwood County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 24.3% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 17.3 points.At over 20% of income, Greenwood 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.

The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 9 years, from 2014 through 2022.

+140.3% since 2014
Infant center care: $4,810 → $11,558
$11,558/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
9 years
Data available (2014–2022)
2014
$4,810
2015
$5,200
2016
$5,590
2017
$5,980
2018
$7,095
2019
$8,211
2020
$9,327
2021
$10,442
2022
$11,558
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 $4,810
2015 $5,200
2016 $5,590
2017 $5,980
2018 $7,095
2019 $8,211
2020 $9,327
2021 $10,442
2022 $11,558

What this means for Greenwood County families

Infant center care here takes 24.3% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 24.3% 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 $8,018/year for infants, about $3,540 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Greenwood County compares against the cheapest counties in South Carolina. Cheapest in South Carolina

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 Greenwood County, SC?
Greenwood County, SC's center-based infant care rate is $11,558/year. Family childcare for infants comes in at $8,018/year, while center-based preschool is $8,459/year.
Is childcare affordable in Greenwood County, SC?
Against a $47,553 median household income, center-based infant care in Greenwood County, SC runs 24.3%. HHS sets the affordability bar at 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 17.3 percentage points.
What is the cheapest childcare option in Greenwood County, SC?
In Greenwood County, SC, a family childcare home is the cheaper preschool option: $7,449/year versus $8,459/year at a center, saving $1,010/year. Family settings typically mean fewer children per caregiver.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Greenwood County, SC?
Center-based before/after-school care for 6-12 year olds in Greenwood County, SC runs $8,809/year and $4,826/year for family childcare, covering the gaps around the school day and summer break.