Most Expensive Childcare in New Jersey
Absolute ceiling counties inside a high-avg New Jersey market
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 New Jersey's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morris County | $16,984/yr |
| 2 | Somerset County | $16,928/yr |
| 3 | Hudson County | $16,758/yr |
| 4 | Bergen County | $16,521/yr |
| 5 | Monmouth County | $16,352/yr |
| 6 | Middlesex County | $16,325/yr |
| 7 | Ocean County | $16,314/yr |
| 8 | Passaic County | $15,994/yr |
| 9 | Sussex County | $15,834/yr |
| 10 | Hunterdon County | $15,791/yr |
| 11 | Gloucester County | $15,789/yr |
| 12 | Burlington County | $15,770/yr |
| 13 | Union County | $15,543/yr |
| 14 | Essex County | $15,390/yr |
| 15 | Mercer County | $15,294/yr |
| 16 | Atlantic County | $14,907/yr |
| 17 | Cumberland County | $14,891/yr |
| 18 | Warren County | $14,870/yr |
| 19 | Salem County | $14,789/yr |
| 20 | Cape May County | $14,697/yr |
| 21 | Camden County | $14,648/yr |
Narrow ceiling gap inside New Jersey
Signature read: New Jersey's $15,732 state infant average sits in the upper third of priced states (#39 of 45). On a high-avg state board, Morris County is the NDCP ceiling at $16,984/year (8% above $15,732).
This page lists 21 New Jersey counties sorted by center infant price, highest first (DOL Women's Bureau NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
High-avg state board: counties sorted by NDCP center infant cost (2022), highest first; state benchmark $15,732/year.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · New Jersey costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.