Nebraska childcare cost
Midwest region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 93 counties
In Nebraska, median center-based infant care costs about $7,987 per year ($154/week) — about 0% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 13.3% of Nebraska's median household income ($59,892), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $7,166/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.
Nebraska 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) | $154 | $7,987 | 13.3% | $112 | $5,824 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $140 | $7,280 | 12.2% | $110 | $5,720 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $138 | $7,166 | 12.0% | $110 | $5,720 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $140 | $7,280 | 12.2% | $106 | $5,491 |
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 Nebraska's median household income of $59,892. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Nebraska families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Nebraska, a year of center-based infant care ($7,987) is equal to about 13.3% 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 Nebraska sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($7,166/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Nebraska compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Nebraska:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this state) | $7,987 | 13.3% | $7,166 |
| Florida | $8,000 | 15.2% | $6,149 |
| 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, Nebraska ranks #30 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 Nebraska?
In Nebraska, the median price of center-based infant care is about $7,987 per year ($154 per week), based on 2018 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 Nebraska?
Median center-based infant care in Nebraska costs about 13.3% of the state's median household income ($59,892). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Nebraska is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Nebraska?
Family (home-based) childcare in Nebraska is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $5,824 per year versus $7,987 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 Nebraska childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Nebraska 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 93 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