Most Expensive Childcare in Alabama
Counties ranked by highest center-based infant care cost
Ranked by reported cost only, not a quality, safety, or licensing rating. A higher price does not imply better care; verify licensing and inspection history directly with providers or Alabama's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelby County | $7,657/yr |
| 2 | Jefferson County | $7,635/yr |
| 3 | Walker County | $7,588/yr |
| 4 | St. Clair County | $7,588/yr |
| 5 | Blount County | $7,588/yr |
| 6 | Elmore County | $7,582/yr |
| 7 | Dallas County | $7,582/yr |
| 8 | Covington County | $7,582/yr |
| 9 | Bullock County | $7,582/yr |
| 10 | Autauga County | $7,582/yr |
| 11 | Montgomery County | $7,566/yr |
| 12 | Wilcox County | $7,532/yr |
| 13 | Lowndes County | $7,532/yr |
| 14 | Chilton County | $7,532/yr |
| 15 | Butler County | $7,532/yr |
| 16 | Tuscaloosa County | $7,094/yr |
| 17 | Marengo County | $7,094/yr |
| 18 | Bibb County | $7,094/yr |
| 19 | Morgan County | $7,073/yr |
| 20 | Madison County | $7,073/yr |
| 21 | Limestone County | $7,073/yr |
| 22 | Lauderdale County | $7,073/yr |
| 23 | Colbert County | $7,073/yr |
| 24 | Sumter County | $7,050/yr |
| 25 | Pickens County | $7,050/yr |
| 26 | Perry County | $7,050/yr |
| 27 | Marion County | $7,050/yr |
| 28 | Lamar County | $7,050/yr |
| 29 | Hale County | $7,050/yr |
| 30 | Greene County | $7,050/yr |
| 31 | Fayette County | $7,050/yr |
| 32 | Choctaw County | $7,050/yr |
| 33 | Russell County | $7,018/yr |
| 34 | Macon County | $7,018/yr |
| 35 | Lee County | $7,018/yr |
| 36 | Chambers County | $7,018/yr |
| 37 | Winston County | $7,016/yr |
| 38 | Lawrence County | $7,016/yr |
| 39 | Franklin County | $7,016/yr |
| 40 | Cullman County | $7,016/yr |
| 41 | Tallapoosa County | $6,967/yr |
| 42 | Mobile County | $6,932/yr |
| 43 | Escambia County | $6,932/yr |
| 44 | Baldwin County | $6,932/yr |
| 45 | Washington County | $6,882/yr |
| 46 | Monroe County | $6,882/yr |
| 47 | Conecuh County | $6,882/yr |
| 48 | Clarke County | $6,882/yr |
| 49 | Pike County | $6,336/yr |
| 50 | Houston County | $6,336/yr |
Narrow ceiling gap inside Alabama
Signature read: Alabama's $6,896 state infant average sits in the lower third of priced states (#5 of 45). Highest listed center infant price: Shelby County at $7,657/year vs $6,896/year state average. Toddler $7,885/year · preschool $7,235/year in the same county.
All 50 priced Alabama counties on this board are sorted by center infant price, highest first (NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Counties sorted by highest center-based infant care cost from DOL Women's Bureau NDCP (2022). Vs-state column uses Alabama average $6,896/year.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Alabama costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.