County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Rock Island County, IL

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

Affordability desert

$14,647 a year for center-based infant care — 22.7% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Illinois counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Rock Island County, IL costs $14,647/year, while family childcare is $9,661/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 22.7% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,180/year, and preschool-age care is $9,100/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for Rock Island County, IL, IL.

Rock Island County vs. the nation

At $14,647 a year for center-based infant care, Rock Island County, IL is 53% above the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 10% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 22.7% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$14,647/yr: Vs. national avg
+53%: National rank
#2,394 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
22.7%

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

$14,647
Center Infant/yr: $9,661
Family Infant/yr: $64,435
Median Income: 22.7%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$14,647	$9,661	+$4,986
Toddler	$11,180	$8,980	+$2,200
Preschool	$9,100	$8,753	+$347
School Age	$2,275	$3,321	$-1,046

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $14,647

Toddler $11,180

Preschool $9,100

School Age $2,275

Where Rock Island County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$14,647 Among the most affordable more affordable than 10% 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 Rock Island County Families

Center-based infant care in Rock Island County, IL averages $14,647/year, while family childcare homes charge $9,661/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — $4,986 annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in IL: 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 $9,100/year at centers versus $8,753/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $2,275/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 Rock Island County tracks against a median income of $64,435, putting infant center care at 22.7% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 15.7 points. At over 20% of income, Rock Island County qualifies as an affordability desert — counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share. 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 Rock Island County starts with the IL 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 $54,770, 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 IL 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: $14,647

Median household income: $64,435

Cost as % of income: 22.7%

7% affordability threshold: $4,510/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2008–2022 (15 years of NDCP data).

+47.5% since 2008

Infant center care: $9,932 → $14,647

$14,647/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$9,932

2009

$10,363

2010

$10,793

2011

$11,247

2012

$11,700

2013

$11,894

2014

$12,087

2015

$12,089

2016

$12,090

2017

$12,155

2018

$12,220

2019

$12,827

2020

$13,433

2021

$14,040

2022

$14,647

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$9,932	$8,424	$7,540	$3,744	$6,240	$5,980
2009	$10,363	$8,509	$7,514	$4,004	$6,370	$6,240
2010	$10,793	$8,593	$7,488	$4,264	$6,500	$6,500
2011	$11,247	$8,977	$7,904	$4,394	$6,630	$6,526
2012	$11,700	$9,360	$8,320	$4,524	$6,760	$6,552
2013	$11,894	$9,620	$8,580	$4,862	$7,118	$6,856
2014	$12,087	$9,880	$8,840	$5,200	$7,475	$7,160
2015	$12,089	$10,010	$8,970	$5,070	$7,638	$7,394
2016	$12,090	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$7,800	$7,628
2017	$12,155	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$8,004	$7,628
2018	$12,220	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$8,208	$7,628
2019	$12,827	$10,400	$9,100	$4,052	$8,571	$7,966
2020	$13,433	$10,660	$9,100	$3,163	$8,935	$8,304
2021	$14,040	$10,920	$9,100	$2,275	$9,298	$8,642
2022	$14,647	$11,180	$9,100	$2,275	$9,661	$8,980

What this means for Rock Island County families

Infant center care here takes 22.7% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 22.7% 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 $9,661/year for infants — about $4,986 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Rock Island County compares against the cheapest counties in Illinois. Cheapest in Illinois

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 Rock Island County, IL? ▼

In Rock Island County, IL, center-based infant care costs $14,647/year. Family childcare for infants is $9,661/year. Preschool center-based care costs $9,100/year.

Is childcare affordable in Rock Island County, IL? ▼

Center-based infant care in Rock Island County, IL costs 22.7% of the median household income ($64,435). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 15.7 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Rock Island County, IL? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Rock Island County, IL changed from $14,647 to $9,932 (-32.2%).

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in Rock Island County, IL? ▼

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 Rock Island County, IL? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Rock Island County, IL. Preschool family care costs $8,753/year compared to $9,100/year for center-based care — a difference of $347/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 Rock Island County, IL? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Rock Island County, IL costs $2,275/year for center-based care and $3,321/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Illinois

Adams County, IL

Infant: $11,134 · 17.5% of income

Bond County, IL

Infant: $9,921 · 16.9% of income

Boone County, IL

Infant: $14,993 · 18.6% of income

Bureau County, IL

Infant: $10,773 · 16.8% of income

Champaign County, IL

Infant: $16,092 · 26.3% of income

Christian County, IL

Infant: $8,083 · 14.2% of income

Childcare Guides

💵

Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit

Federal CDCTC, FSA limits, and strategies to save on childcare

🤝

Subsidy & Assistance Programs

CCDF, Head Start, and state assistance — how to apply

🏡

Center vs Home Childcare

Compare daycare centers, family home care, and nannies

💼

Employer Childcare Benefits

FSAs, on-site care, backup programs, and negotiation tips

Explore childcare costs across Illinois

All Illinois counties

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

Cheapest childcare in Illinois

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

Most expensive in Illinois

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

Affordability deserts in Illinois

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare Rock Island 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.