Childcare costs in Shelby County, AL
$7,657 a year for center-based infant care - 8.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Shelby County, AL families pay $7,657/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $7,578/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 8.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,885/year, and preschool-age care is $7,235/year.
Shelby County vs. the nation
Center-based infant care costs $7,657 a year in Shelby County, AL, coming in 20% below the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 64% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 8.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $7,657/yr
- Vs. national avg
- -20%
- National rank
- #951 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 8.4%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $7,657
- Center Infant/yr
- $7,578
- Family Infant/yr
- $90,618
- Median Income
- 8.4%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $7,657 | $7,578 |
| Toddler | $7,885 | $7,383 |
| Preschool | $7,235 | $6,733 |
| School Age | $6,488 | $6,564 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Shelby County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$7,657 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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 Shelby County Families
Shelby County's median household income of $90,618 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 8.4% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 1.4 points.Shelby County families generally find care more manageable than the national picture, though waitlists at licensed providers remain the real bottleneck.
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 15 years, from 2008 through 2022.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $6,073 |
| 2009 | $6,160 |
| 2010 | $6,247 |
| 2011 | $6,334 |
| 2012 | $6,420 |
| 2013 | $6,507 |
| 2014 | $6,594 |
| 2015 | $7,186 |
| 2016 | $7,779 |
| 2017 | $8,372 |
| 2018 | $8,229 |
| 2019 | $8,086 |
| 2020 | $7,943 |
| 2021 | $7,800 |
| 2022 | $7,657 |
What this means for Shelby County families
Infant center care here takes 8.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 8.4% 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 $7,578/year for infants, about $79 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Shelby County compares against the cheapest counties in Alabama. Cheapest in Alabama
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.