Florida childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2017 data · median of 67 counties
In Florida, median center-based infant care costs about $8,000 per year ($154/week) — about 0% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 15.2% of Florida's median household income ($52,625), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $6,149/year. Figures are 2017 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.
Florida childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2017:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $154 | $8,000 | 15.2% | $140 | $7,297 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $135 | $7,020 | 13.3% | $122 | $6,330 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $118 | $6,149 | 11.7% | $111 | $5,784 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $103 | $5,345 | 10.2% | $96 | $5,015 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2017). 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 Florida's median household income of $52,625. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Florida families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Florida, a year of center-based infant care ($8,000) is equal to about 15.2% 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 Florida sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($6,149/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Florida compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Florida:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (this state) | $8,000 | 15.2% | $6,149 |
| Nebraska | $7,987 | 13.3% | $7,166 |
| Iowa | $7,807 | 13.3% | $6,663 |
| Oregon | $8,340 | 13.7% | $8,040 |
| Oklahoma | $7,631 | 14.7% | $6,413 |
| Michigan | $8,495 | 15.1% | $7,433 |
By annual infant-care cost, Florida ranks #29 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Florida
County-level median prices we publish for Florida:
- Miami-Dade County — infant center care $7,758/yr (2017)
- Broward County — infant center care $9,952/yr (2017)
- Palm Beach County — infant center care $10,906/yr (2017)
- Hillsborough County — infant center care $9,791/yr (2017)
- Orange County — infant center care $9,244/yr (2017)
- Pinellas County — infant center care $11,449/yr (2017)
- Duval County — infant center care $8,555/yr (2017)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Florida?
In Florida, the median price of center-based infant care is about $8,000 per year ($154 per week), based on 2017 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 0% 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 Florida?
Median center-based infant care in Florida costs about 15.2% of the state's median household income ($52,625). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Florida is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Florida?
Family (home-based) childcare in Florida is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $7,297 per year versus $8,000 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 Florida childcare data from?
These are 2017 median prices — the latest year Florida 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 (2017, public domain). The state figure is the median of 67 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 2017. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20