Missouri childcare cost
Midwest region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 115 counties
In Missouri, median center-based infant care costs about $6,922 per year ($133/week) — about 13% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 12.6% of Missouri's median household income ($54,873), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $5,377/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.
Missouri 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) | $133 | $6,922 | 12.6% | $99 | $5,153 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $103 | $5,377 | 9.8% | $99 | $5,153 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $103 | $5,377 | 9.8% | $99 | $5,153 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $91 | $4,738 | 8.6% | $84 | $4,370 |
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 Missouri's median household income of $54,873. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Missouri families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Missouri, a year of center-based infant care ($6,922) is equal to about 12.6% 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 Missouri sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($5,377/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Missouri compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Missouri:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri (this state) | $6,922 | 12.6% | $5,377 |
| Idaho | $6,917 | 12.9% | $5,906 |
| Texas | $6,942 | 11.4% | $5,858 |
| West Virginia | $6,714 | 14.7% | $5,819 |
| Wyoming | $7,154 | 11.4% | $5,835 |
| Tennessee | $6,605 | 12.6% | $5,720 |
By annual infant-care cost, Missouri ranks #37 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Missouri
County-level median prices we publish for Missouri:
- St. Louis County — infant center care $14,245/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Missouri?
In Missouri, the median price of center-based infant care is about $6,922 per year ($133 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 13% below the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Missouri?
Median center-based infant care in Missouri costs about 12.6% of the state's median household income ($54,873). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Missouri is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Missouri?
Family (home-based) childcare in Missouri is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $5,153 per year versus $6,922 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 Missouri childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Missouri 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.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 115 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