Childcare Costs in Penobscot County, ME

FIPS: 23019 · Data year: 2022

Center-based infant care in Penobscot County, ME costs $13,295/year, while family childcare is $9,533/year. This represents 22.4% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold.

$13,295

Center Infant/yr

$9,533

Family Infant/yr

$59,438

Median Income

22.4%

% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$13,295	$9,533	+$3,762
Toddler	$10,591	$9,360	+$1,231
Preschool	$9,793	$8,320	+$1,473
School Age	$10,053	$8,320	+$1,733

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $13,295

Toddler $10,591

Preschool $9,793

School Age $10,053

Affordability Context

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's income.

Center infant cost: $13,295

Median household income: $59,438

Cost as % of income: 22.4%

7% affordability threshold: $4,161/year

Cost History (Center-Based Infant)

Year	Infant	Toddler	Preschool	School Age
2008	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2009	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2010	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2011	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2012	$8,216	$8,216	$7,280	$6,110
2013	$8,320	$8,216	$7,280	$5,200
2014	$8,658	$8,216	$7,280	$4,290
2015	$8,996	$8,216	$7,280	$3,380
2016	$8,996	$8,407	$7,540	$3,987
2017	$8,996	$8,597	$7,800	$4,593
2018	$8,996	$8,788	$8,060	$5,200
2019	$10,071	$9,239	$8,493	$6,413
2020	$11,145	$9,689	$8,927	$7,627
2021	$12,220	$10,140	$9,360	$8,840
2022	$13,295	$10,591	$9,793	$10,053

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Penobscot County, ME? ▼

In Penobscot County, ME, center-based infant care costs $13,295/year. Family childcare for infants is $9,533/year. Preschool center-based care costs $9,793/year.

Is childcare affordable in Penobscot County, ME? ▼

Center-based infant care in Penobscot County, ME costs 22.4% of the median household income ($59,438). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 15.4 percentage points.

More Data for Penobscot County

ZIP Codes Schools Salaries Crime Data Rent Prices

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices.