Childcare costs in Hancock County, MS
$7,758 a year for center-based infant care - 12.2% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Hancock County, MS is $7,758/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 12.2% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,232/year, and preschool-age care is $6,608/year.
Hancock County vs. the nation
Center-based infant care costs $7,758 a year in Hancock County, MS, coming in 19% below the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 64% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 12.2% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $7,758/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -19%
- National rank
- #968 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 12.2%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $7,758
- Center Infant/yr
- N/A
- Family Infant/yr
- $63,623
- Median Income
- 12.2%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $7,758 | N/A |
| Toddler | $7,232 | N/A |
| Preschool | $6,608 | N/A |
| School Age | $5,409 | N/A |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Hancock County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$7,758 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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 Hancock County Families
Weighed against a $63,623 median household income, Hancock County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 12.2% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 5.2 points.Hancock 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)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2010 to 2022, across 13 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | N/A |
| 2010 | $4,284 |
| 2011 | $4,753 |
| 2012 | $5,321 |
| 2013 | $5,888 |
| 2014 | $5,555 |
| 2015 | $5,222 |
| 2016 | $4,889 |
| 2017 | $5,367 |
| 2018 | $5,845 |
| 2019 | $6,323 |
| 2020 | $6,802 |
| 2021 | $7,280 |
| 2022 | $7,758 |
What this means for Hancock County families
Infant center care here takes 12.2% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 12.2% 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 Hancock County compares against the cheapest counties in Mississippi. Cheapest in Mississippi
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.