Lowest State Averages for Infant Care in 2022

How We Measure Childcare Costs

The data in this guide comes from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau's National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), the most comprehensive source of childcare cost data available at the county level in the United States. The NDCP collects median annual childcare prices for center-based and family-based care across multiple age groups (infant, toddler, preschool, school-age), linked to Census income data.

Because childcare prices vary dramatically within states, a rural county can cost half what a major metropolitan area charges, state-level figures represent weighted averages across counties. For county-specific data, use our state pages and county pages.

Lowest-Cost States for Infant Care (Center-Based)

The state order above is computed from the county-level records loaded on this site. It is a historical comparison of reported market-price estimates, not a ranking of current provider tuition, availability, quality, safety, or licensing.

Most Expensive States for Infant Care (Center-Based)

The highest values in the comparison are also historical county-weighted estimates. Use the state and county pages to inspect the exact source value and year before using a figure in a budget or a decision.

Cost Variation by Age Group

Childcare costs decrease significantly as children get older, due to improved staff-to-child ratios permitted by state regulations:

• Infants (under 12 months): Highest cost. Ratios of 1:3 to 1:4 per caregiver are common, requiring more staff per child.
• Toddlers (12–35 months): Typically 15–25% cheaper than infant care in the same center. Ratios improve to approximately 1:4 to 1:6.
• Preschool (3–5 years): Usually 30–45% cheaper than infant care. Ratios of 1:8 to 1:12 allow centers to serve more children per staff member.
• School-age (6+ years): Part-day or before/after-school programs are the cheapest category, sometimes 50–60% below infant care costs. Full-day summer programs approach preschool pricing.

This means families with infants in expensive states face the steepest challenge. As children age into the preschool years, especially in states with universal pre-K programs, the cost burden eases considerably.

Childcare Cost as a Percentage of Household Income

Raw dollar amounts don't tell the full story. A $12,000 annual daycare bill is very different for a family earning $50,000 versus one earning $150,000. The DOL uses childcare cost as a percentage of median household income as the key affordability measure.

This portal can compare the stored price estimate with the stored county median-income field. It cannot determine a household's eligibility, copayment, tax result, or actual out-of-pocket cost.

Use the calculator as a comparison of the stored 2022 values only. Confirm current tuition and any assistance with the provider and the relevant state program.

What Drives Childcare Cost Differences Between States

The price gap between the cheapest and most expensive states is not random. Several structural factors explain most of the variation:

Staff-to-child ratios. State regulations set the minimum number of caregivers required per child by age group. Lower ratios (more adults per child) mean higher staffing costs but also higher quality. Massachusetts mandates 1:3 for infants; Florida allows 1:4. This single variable has an enormous impact on cost.

Caregiver wages. Childcare workers earn a national median around $15 per hour, but wages range from below $12 in lower-cost states to over $20 in high-cost urban areas. Staff compensation is typically 60–75% of a center's operating budget. Higher-wage states produce more expensive childcare, but also less staff turnover.

Licensing and training requirements. States vary significantly in the education and training required of childcare workers and directors. More rigorous requirements improve quality but increase labor costs. Some states require lead teachers to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or higher; others have minimal requirements.

Real estate and facility costs. Operating a childcare center requires dedicated, age-appropriate space with outdoor play areas. In expensive metros, rent and property costs add substantially to overhead. Rural areas and lower-cost-of-living states see much lower facility expenses.

Market competition and supply. Areas with insufficient childcare supply relative to demand see prices rise. The "childcare desert" problem, where there are more than three children under 5 for every licensed childcare slot, is most severe in rural areas and low-income urban neighborhoods. Paradoxically, deserts often coexist with high prices because providers don't need to compete.

Regional Patterns to Know

If you're considering a move and childcare cost is a factor, here are the broad regional patterns:

• The South: Most affordable in absolute dollar terms. Low wages, lighter regulations, and low facility costs combine. Quality programs do exist, but average quality ratings tend to be lower than in other regions.
• The Midwest: Mixed. States like Minnesota and Illinois have higher-than-average costs (especially in metro areas), while Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska are below average. The farm-state rural counties are among the cheapest in the nation.
• The Northeast: The most expensive region by a wide margin. Even modest quality centers in medium-sized New England cities command prices that would be exceptional in the South or Midwest.
• The West: Highly varied. California is extremely expensive in metro areas; Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana are much more affordable. Hawaii has uniquely high costs driven by island geography and import costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states have the cheapest childcare?

Based on DOL NDCP data, states in the South and rural Midwest consistently rank as most affordable. Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Oklahoma typically have the lowest median annual childcare costs for infants, often below $7,000 per year for center-based care.

Why is childcare so expensive in some states?

Several factors drive higher childcare costs: stricter staff-to-child ratios, higher staff wages due to cost of living, higher facility costs, and more stringent licensing requirements. Northeast and Pacific Coast states tend to have all these factors combined, pushing prices significantly higher.

Does cheaper childcare mean lower quality?

Not necessarily. Price differences often reflect regional cost of living and wage levels rather than quality alone. However, lower wages in cheaper-care states can lead to higher staff turnover, which research consistently links to lower care quality.

How does childcare cost compare to rent in different states?

PlainChildcare does not store rent or a household’s actual income. Its calculator compares the stored 2022 price estimate with county median income only.