Childcare costs in Highlands County, FL
$8,840 a year for center-based infant care - 16.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Highlands County, FL costs $8,840/year, per the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). This represents 16.5% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,280/year, and preschool-age care is $7,020/year.
Highlands County vs. the nation
Highlands County, FL runs $8,840 a year for center-based infant care, 8% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 52% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 16.5% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $8,840/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -8%
- National rank
- #1,271 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 16.5%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $8,840
- Center Infant/yr
- N/A
- Family Infant/yr
- $53,679
- Median Income
- 16.5%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $8,840 | N/A |
| Toddler | $7,280 | N/A |
| Preschool | $7,020 | N/A |
| School Age | $5,980 | N/A |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Highlands County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$8,840 more affordable than 52% 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 Highlands County Families
Highlands County's median household income of $53,679 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 16.5% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 9.5 points.Between 15-20% of income, Highlands 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)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 15 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $6,073 |
| 2009 | $6,290 |
| 2010 | $6,685 |
| 2011 | $7,079 |
| 2012 | $7,473 |
| 2013 | $7,868 |
| 2014 | $7,639 |
| 2015 | $7,410 |
| 2016 | $7,605 |
| 2017 | $7,800 |
| 2018 | $7,995 |
| 2019 | $8,190 |
| 2020 | $8,385 |
| 2021 | $8,580 |
| 2022 | $8,840 |
What this means for Highlands County families
Infant center care here takes 16.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 16.5% 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 Highlands County compares against the cheapest counties in Florida. Cheapest in Florida
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.