Childcare costs in Santa Barbara County, CA
$23,532 a year for center-based infant care - 25.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Center-based infant care in Santa Barbara County, CA costs $23,532/year, while family childcare is $18,877/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 25.5% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $16,070/year, and preschool-age care is $12,590/year.
Santa Barbara County vs. the nation
Center-based infant care costs $23,532 a year in Santa Barbara County, CA, coming in 145% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 1% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 25.5% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $23,532/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +145%
- National rank
- #2,646 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 25.5%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $23,532
- Center Infant/yr
- $18,877
- Family Infant/yr
- $92,332
- Median Income
- 25.5%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $23,532 | $18,877 |
| Toddler | $16,070 | $15,883 |
| Preschool | $12,590 | $14,891 |
| School Age | $5,981 | $10,757 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Santa Barbara County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$23,532 more affordable than 1% 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 Santa Barbara County Families
Weighed against a $92,332 median household income, Santa Barbara County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 25.5% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 18.5 points.At over 20% of income, Santa Barbara County qualifies as an affordability desert, counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share.
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)
The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 14 years, from 2008 through 2022.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $13,972 |
| 2009 | $14,387 |
| 2010 | $15,104 |
| 2011 | $15,822 |
| 2012 | $16,540 |
| 2013 | $17,135 |
| 2014 | $17,729 |
| 2015 | $17,702 |
| 2016 | $17,675 |
| 2017 | $17,758 |
| 2018 | $17,841 |
| 2019 | $17,924 |
| 2020 | $18,007 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $23,532 |
What this means for Santa Barbara County families
Infant center care here takes 25.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 25.5% 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
- Family childcare homes run $18,877/year for infants, about $4,655 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Santa Barbara County compares against the cheapest counties in California. Cheapest in California
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.