Childcare costs in Hamilton County, KS
$4,971 a year for center-based infant care - 8.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Hamilton County, KS is $4,971/year, while family childcare is $5,117/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 8.5% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $5,075/year, and preschool-age care is $5,075/year.
Hamilton County vs. the nation
At $4,971 a year for center-based infant care, Hamilton County, KS is 48% below the national average of $9,592 - cheaper than 97% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 8.5% 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
- 8.5%
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
- $58,750
- Median Income
- 8.5%
- % 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County Families
Hamilton County's median household income of $58,750 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 8.5% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 1.5 points.Hamilton 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)
The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 15 years, from 2008 through 2022.
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 Hamilton County families
Infant center care here takes 8.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 8.5% 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
- See how Hamilton 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.