North Carolina childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 100 counties
In North Carolina, median center-based infant care costs about $8,579 per year ($165/week) — about 7% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 15.9% of North Carolina's median household income ($53,877), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $6,031/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.
North Carolina 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) | $165 | $8,579 | 15.9% | $135 | $7,045 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $136 | $7,080 | 13.1% | $125 | $6,499 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $116 | $6,031 | 11.2% | $120 | $6,239 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $89 | $4,653 | 8.6% | $110 | $5,728 |
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 North Carolina's median household income of $53,877. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for North Carolina families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In North Carolina, a year of center-based infant care ($8,579) is equal to about 15.9% 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 North Carolina sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($6,031/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How North Carolina compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to North Carolina:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this state) | $8,579 | 15.9% | $6,031 |
| Michigan | $8,495 | 15.1% | $7,433 |
| Illinois | $8,718 | 13.3% | $6,500 |
| Oregon | $8,340 | 13.7% | $8,040 |
| Virginia | $8,840 | 11.3% | $7,020 |
| Colorado | $9,017 | 13.8% | $7,231 |
By annual infant-care cost, North Carolina ranks #26 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in North Carolina
County-level median prices we publish for North Carolina:
- Mecklenburg County — infant center care $13,259/yr (2018)
- Wake County — infant center care $14,340/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the median price of center-based infant care is about $8,579 per year ($165 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 7% 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 North Carolina?
Median center-based infant care in North Carolina costs about 15.9% of the state's median household income ($53,877). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so North Carolina is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in North Carolina?
Family (home-based) childcare in North Carolina is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $7,045 per year versus $8,579 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 North Carolina childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year North Carolina 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 100 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