Cheapest Childcare in Massachusetts
Relative floor counties inside a high-avg Massachusetts market
Ranked by reported cost only, not a quality, safety, or licensing rating. Verify licensing and inspection history directly with providers or Massachusetts's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Cheapest Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkshire County | $17,160/yr |
| 2 | Franklin County | $17,160/yr |
| 3 | Hampden County | $17,160/yr |
| 4 | Hampshire County | $17,160/yr |
| 5 | Barnstable County | $18,304/yr |
| 6 | Bristol County | $18,304/yr |
| 7 | Dukes County | $18,304/yr |
| 8 | Nantucket County | $18,304/yr |
| 9 | Plymouth County | $18,304/yr |
| 10 | Worcester County | $20,296/yr |
| 11 | Essex County | $24,001/yr |
| 12 | Middlesex County | $24,001/yr |
| 13 | Norfolk County | $28,860/yr |
| 14 | Suffolk County | $30,680/yr |
High-avg state, relative floor counties
Signature read: Massachusetts's $20,571 state infant average sits in the upper third of priced states (#44 of 45). Even on a high-avg state board, 4 counties tie for the NDCP floor at $17,160/year (17% below $20,571).
Only 14 Massachusetts counties carry a usable center infant price in NDCP for this board. Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Counties sorted by lowest center-based infant care cost from DOL Women's Bureau NDCP (2022). Vs-state column uses Massachusetts average $20,571/year.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Massachusetts cheapest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.