Most Expensive Childcare in Florida
Ceiling price 51% above the Florida infant average
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 Florida's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm Beach County | $15,860/yr |
| 2 | Pinellas County | $15,600/yr |
| 3 | St. Johns County | $14,560/yr |
| 4 | Alachua County | $13,000/yr |
| 5 | Seminole County | $12,948/yr |
| 6 | Martin County | $12,480/yr |
| 7 | Hillsborough County | $12,480/yr |
| 8 | St. Lucie County | $12,220/yr |
| 9 | Santa Rosa County | $12,220/yr |
| 10 | Broward County | $12,116/yr |
| 11 | Polk County | $11,960/yr |
| 12 | Collier County | $11,708/yr |
| 13 | Sumter County | $11,700/yr |
| 14 | Pasco County | $11,700/yr |
| 15 | Orange County | $11,700/yr |
| 16 | Okaloosa County | $11,700/yr |
| 17 | Duval County | $11,700/yr |
| 18 | Manatee County | $11,440/yr |
| 19 | Flagler County | $11,440/yr |
| 20 | Bay County | $11,180/yr |
| 21 | Sarasota County | $10,920/yr |
| 22 | Osceola County | $10,556/yr |
| 23 | Walton County | $10,400/yr |
| 24 | Volusia County | $10,400/yr |
| 25 | Monroe County | $10,400/yr |
| 26 | Miami-Dade County | $10,400/yr |
| 27 | Lee County | $10,400/yr |
| 28 | Lake County | $10,400/yr |
| 29 | Jackson County | $10,400/yr |
| 30 | Clay County | $10,400/yr |
| 31 | Calhoun County | $10,400/yr |
| 32 | Brevard County | $10,400/yr |
| 33 | Charlotte County | $10,348/yr |
| 34 | Nassau County | $9,880/yr |
| 35 | Marion County | $9,620/yr |
| 36 | Indian River County | $9,620/yr |
| 37 | Escambia County | $9,620/yr |
| 38 | Leon County | $9,360/yr |
| 39 | Levy County | $9,100/yr |
| 40 | Hendry County | $9,100/yr |
| 41 | Citrus County | $9,100/yr |
| 42 | Bradford County | $9,100/yr |
| 43 | Wakulla County | $9,006/yr |
| 44 | Highlands County | $8,840/yr |
| 45 | Hernando County | $8,580/yr |
| 46 | Putnam County | $8,167/yr |
| 47 | Columbia County | $8,112/yr |
| 48 | Jefferson County | $7,800/yr |
| 49 | Hardee County | $7,800/yr |
| 50 | Madison County | $7,280/yr |
Steep ceiling gap inside Florida
Signature read: the top price sits 51% above the Florida infant average — a steep in-state ceiling gap on this NDCP list. Palm Beach County posts $15,860/year — 51% over the $10,505 state average — with toddler $12,753 and preschool $11,440.
All 50 priced Florida counties on this board are sorted by center infant price, highest first (NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Steep-gap board: counties sorted by NDCP center infant cost (2022); ceiling vs $10,505/year Florida average.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Florida costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.