Childcare Costs in Shelby County, AL

FIPS: 01117 · Data year: 2022

Center-based infant care in Shelby County, AL costs $7,657/year, while family childcare is $7,578/year. This represents 8.4% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold.

$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	Difference
Infant	$7,657	$7,578	+$79
Toddler	$7,885	$7,383	+$502
Preschool	$7,235	$6,733	+$502
School Age	$6,488	$6,564	$-76

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $7,657

Toddler $7,885

Preschool $7,235

School Age $6,488

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: $7,657

Median household income: $90,618

Cost as % of income: 8.4%

7% affordability threshold: $6,343/year

Cost History (Center-Based Infant)

Year	Infant	Toddler	Preschool	School Age
2008	$6,073	$6,073	$5,544	$5,301
2009	$6,160	$6,160	$5,596	$5,249
2010	$6,247	$6,247	$5,648	$5,197
2011	$6,334	$6,334	$5,700	$5,145
2012	$6,420	$6,420	$5,752	$5,093
2013	$6,507	$6,507	$5,804	$5,041
2014	$6,594	$6,594	$5,856	$4,989
2015	$7,186	$7,186	$6,391	$5,336
2016	$7,779	$7,779	$6,926	$5,683
2017	$8,372	$8,372	$7,461	$6,030
2018	$8,229	$8,229	$7,416	$6,121
2019	$8,086	$8,086	$7,371	$6,213
2020	$7,943	$7,943	$7,325	$6,304
2021	$7,800	$7,800	$7,280	$6,396
2022	$7,657	$7,885	$7,235	$6,488

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Shelby County, AL? ▼

In Shelby County, AL, center-based infant care costs $7,657/year. Family childcare for infants is $7,578/year. Preschool center-based care costs $7,235/year.

Is childcare affordable in Shelby County, AL? ▼

Center-based infant care in Shelby County, AL costs 8.4% of the median household income ($90,618). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 1.4 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Shelby County, AL? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Shelby County, AL changed from $7,657 to $6,073 (-20.7%).

More Data for Shelby 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.