Most Expensive Childcare in Kentucky
Ceiling price 60% above the Kentucky 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 Kentucky's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pendleton County | $11,555/yr |
| 2 | Owen County | $11,555/yr |
| 3 | Nicholas County | $11,555/yr |
| 4 | Gallatin County | $11,555/yr |
| 5 | Jefferson County | $11,236/yr |
| 6 | Scott County | $11,048/yr |
| 7 | Harrison County | $11,048/yr |
| 8 | Grant County | $11,048/yr |
| 9 | Carroll County | $11,048/yr |
| 10 | Lincoln County | $10,603/yr |
| 11 | Garrard County | $10,603/yr |
| 12 | Estill County | $10,603/yr |
| 13 | Kenton County | $10,342/yr |
| 14 | Campbell County | $10,342/yr |
| 15 | Boone County | $10,342/yr |
| 16 | Bourbon County | $10,182/yr |
| 17 | Powell County | $10,126/yr |
| 18 | Mercer County | $10,126/yr |
| 19 | Fayette County | $9,584/yr |
| 20 | Madison County | $9,433/yr |
| 21 | Jessamine County | $9,433/yr |
| 22 | Clark County | $9,433/yr |
| 23 | Boyle County | $9,433/yr |
| 24 | Washington County | $8,789/yr |
| 25 | Meade County | $8,789/yr |
| 26 | Marion County | $8,789/yr |
| 27 | Larue County | $8,789/yr |
| 28 | Grayson County | $8,789/yr |
| 29 | Breckinridge County | $8,789/yr |
| 30 | Nelson County | $8,388/yr |
| 31 | Trimble County | $8,269/yr |
| 32 | Spencer County | $8,269/yr |
| 33 | Henry County | $8,269/yr |
| 34 | Woodford County | $7,868/yr |
| 35 | Shelby County | $7,868/yr |
| 36 | Oldham County | $7,868/yr |
| 37 | Hardin County | $7,868/yr |
| 38 | Bullitt County | $7,868/yr |
| 39 | Anderson County | $7,868/yr |
| 40 | Webster County | $7,388/yr |
| 41 | Ohio County | $7,388/yr |
| 42 | Monroe County | $7,388/yr |
| 43 | Metcalfe County | $7,388/yr |
| 44 | McLean County | $7,388/yr |
| 45 | Logan County | $7,388/yr |
| 46 | Hart County | $7,388/yr |
| 47 | Hancock County | $7,388/yr |
| 48 | Edmonson County | $7,388/yr |
| 49 | Butler County | $7,388/yr |
| 50 | Allen County | $7,388/yr |
Steep ceiling gap inside Kentucky
Signature read: the top price sits 60% above the Kentucky infant average — a steep in-state ceiling gap on this NDCP list. 4 counties tie at $11,555/year, 60% over the $7,238 state average.
All 50 priced Kentucky 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 $7,238/year Kentucky average.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Kentucky costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.