Alaska childcare cost
West region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 29 counties
In Alaska, median center-based infant care costs about $17,484 per year ($336/week) — about 119% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 22.8% of Alaska's median household income ($76,682), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (severe burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $11,400/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Alaska childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $336 | $17,484 | 22.8% | $176 | $9,150 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $266 | $13,842 | 18.1% | $162 | $8,430 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $219 | $11,400 | 14.9% | $150 | $7,800 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $164 | $8,520 | 11.1% | $127 | $6,609 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Alaska's median household income of $76,682. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Alaska families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Alaska, a year of center-based infant care ($17,484) is equal to about 22.8% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Alaska sits far above the 7% affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($11,400/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Alaska compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Alaska:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this state) | $17,484 | 22.8% | $11,400 |
| Hawaii | $18,000 | 22.9% | $11,760 |
| Connecticut | $15,860 | 20.4% | $12,610 |
| Massachusetts | $15,860 | 20.1% | $11,700 |
| District of Columbia | $15,786 | 22.3% | $12,365 |
| California | $15,058 | 20.6% | $9,453 |
By annual infant-care cost, Alaska ranks #2 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Alaska?
In Alaska, the median price of center-based infant care is about $17,484 per year ($336 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 119% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Alaska?
Median center-based infant care in Alaska costs about 22.8% of the state's median household income ($76,682). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Alaska is far above the 7% affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Alaska?
Family (home-based) childcare in Alaska is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $9,150 per year versus $17,484 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Alaska childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Alaska appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 29 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20