County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Prince William County, VA

Reviewed byPlainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team · June 14, 2026

$16,199 a year for center-based infant care — 13.1% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Virginia counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Prince William County, VA costs $16,199/year, while family childcare is $11,673/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 13.1% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $13,036/year, and preschool-age care is $13,881/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for Prince William County, VA, VA.

Prince William County vs. the nation

At $16,199 a year for center-based infant care, Prince William County, VA is 69% above the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 6% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 13.1% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$16,199/yr: Vs. national avg
+69%: National rank
#2,515 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
13.1%

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

$16,199
Center Infant/yr: $11,673
Family Infant/yr: $123,193
Median Income: 13.1%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$16,199	$11,673	+$4,526
Toddler	$13,036	$10,328	+$2,708
Preschool	$13,881	$10,137	+$3,744
School Age	$9,312	$7,959	+$1,353

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $16,199

Toddler $13,036

Preschool $13,881

School Age $9,312

Where Prince William County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$16,199 Among the most affordable more affordable than 6% 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 Prince William County Families

Center-based infant care in Prince William County, VA averages $16,199/year, while family childcare homes charge $11,673/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — $4,526 annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in VA: centers operate under commercial child care licensing with staff-to-child ratios typically capped at 1:4 for infants and 1:10 for preschoolers, while family child care homes follow small-home rules allowing up to six children with one provider. Preschool-age coverage runs $13,881/year at centers versus $10,137/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $9,312/year. These are annualized full-time rates from the NDCP market-rate survey — actual quoted prices swing with QRIS quality tier, accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC), and whether the provider accepts CCDF subsidy vouchers.

Household affordability in Prince William County tracks against a median income of $123,193, putting infant center care at 13.1% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 6.1 points. Prince William County families generally find care more manageable than the national picture, though waitlists at licensed providers remain the real bottleneck. Providers in this cost band typically require two months of tuition as deposit plus non-refundable registration fees of $75-$250.

Finding a licensed provider in Prince William County starts with the VA Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency — these nonprofits maintain searchable databases of licensed centers and family homes, note open slots, and handle CCDF subsidy intake. Ask any provider for their current inspection report (publicly available through the state licensing portal), their staff turnover rate, and whether they participate in the state's QRIS quality rating system. For families earning under $104,714, the CCDF subsidy caps parent copayments at a sliding-scale percentage of income. Head Start slots (free for families under 100% federal poverty line) and state-funded pre-K programs fill the preschool tier at zero out-of-pocket cost where available. This 2022 data provides the baseline — always verify current VA licensing status and tuition directly with the provider before enrollment.

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: $16,199

Median household income: $123,193

Cost as % of income: 13.1%

7% affordability threshold: $8,624/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2009–2022 (13 years of NDCP data).

+40.3% since 2009

Infant center care: $11,544 → $16,199

$16,199/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

13 years

Data available (2009–2022)

2009

$11,544

2010

$11,960

2011

$12,376

2012

$12,792

2013

$13,121

2014

$13,451

2015

$13,780

2016

$14,647

2017

$15,513

2018

$16,380

2019

$17,247

2020

$18,113

2022

$16,199

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2009	$11,544	$9,750	$9,750	$7,930	$8,970	$7,800
2010	$11,960	$10,140	$10,140	$7,800	$9,100	$7,800
2011	$12,376	$10,530	$10,530	$7,670	$9,230	$7,800
2012	$12,792	$10,920	$10,920	$7,540	$9,360	$7,800
2013	$13,121	$10,920	$10,920	$7,627	$9,447	$7,973
2014	$13,451	$10,920	$10,920	$7,713	$9,533	$8,147
2015	$13,780	$10,920	$10,920	$7,800	$9,620	$8,320
2016	$14,647	$11,700	$11,700	$8,753	$9,880	$8,667
2017	$15,513	$12,480	$12,480	$9,707	$10,140	$9,013
2018	$16,380	$13,260	$13,260	$10,660	$10,400	$9,360
2019	$17,247	$14,040	$14,040	$11,613	$10,660	$9,707
2020	$18,113	$14,820	$14,820	$12,567	$10,920	$10,053
2021	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	$16,199	$13,036	$13,881	$9,312	$11,673	$10,328

What this means for Prince William County families

Infant center care here takes 13.1% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 13.1% 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 $11,673/year for infants — about $4,526 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Prince William County compares against the cheapest counties in Virginia. Cheapest in Virginia

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 Prince William County, VA? ▼

In Prince William County, VA, center-based infant care costs $16,199/year. Family childcare for infants is $11,673/year. Preschool center-based care costs $13,881/year.

Is childcare affordable in Prince William County, VA? ▼

Center-based infant care in Prince William County, VA costs 13.1% of the median household income ($123,193). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 6.1 percentage points.

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in Prince William County, VA? ▼

Data covers four age groups: Infant (0-1), Toddler (1-2), Preschool (3-5), and School Age (6-12). Both center-based and family childcare costs are tracked separately for each age group.

What is the HHS childcare affordability standard? ▼

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines childcare as affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's household income. Counties where infant care exceeds 20% of median income are classified as "affordability deserts."

Where does the childcare cost data come from? ▼

All data comes from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. It provides county-level childcare price estimates based on market rate surveys.

What is the cheapest childcare option in Prince William County, VA? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Prince William County, VA. Preschool family care costs $10,137/year compared to $13,881/year for center-based care — a difference of $3,744/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in Prince William County, VA? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Prince William County, VA costs $9,312/year for center-based care and $7,959/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Virginia

Accomack County, VA

Infant: $9,870 · 18.7% of income

Albemarle County, VA

Infant: $13,974 · 14.3% of income

Alexandria City, VA

Infant: $23,540 · 20.8% of income

Alleghany County, VA

Infant: $8,258 · 15.7% of income

Amelia County, VA

Infant: $8,339 · 13.1% of income

Amherst County, VA

Infant: $7,734 · 12.0% of income

Childcare Guides

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Explore childcare costs across Virginia

All Virginia counties

Every priced county in Virginia, with averages and the statewide affordability picture.

Cheapest childcare in Virginia

The most affordable counties in Virginia ranked by annual center-based cost.

Most expensive in Virginia

Where Virginia childcare costs the most, and how far above the state average it runs.

Affordability deserts in Virginia

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare Prince William County against the cheapest and costliest counties nationwide.

Affordability calculator

See what childcare costs as a share of your own household income.

Data Sources & Methodology

Data as of 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP).

Childcare cost data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices at the county level.

Affordability is measured against the HHS benchmark of 7% of household income. Median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Browse all → | Rankings →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.