Oklahoma childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 77 counties
In Oklahoma, median center-based infant care costs about $7,631 per year ($147/week) — about 4% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 14.7% of Oklahoma's median household income ($51,821), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $6,413/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.
Oklahoma 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) | $147 | $7,631 | 14.7% | $110 | $5,744 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $123 | $6,413 | 12.4% | $107 | $5,578 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $123 | $6,413 | 12.4% | $107 | $5,578 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $83 | $4,314 | 8.3% | $82 | $4,287 |
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 Oklahoma's median household income of $51,821. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Oklahoma families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Oklahoma, a year of center-based infant care ($7,631) is equal to about 14.7% 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 Oklahoma sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($6,413/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Oklahoma compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Oklahoma:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this state) | $7,631 | 14.7% | $6,413 |
| Iowa | $7,807 | 13.3% | $6,663 |
| North Dakota | $7,435 | 11.6% | $6,349 |
| Montana | $7,297 | 14.3% | $6,385 |
| Nebraska | $7,987 | 13.3% | $7,166 |
| Florida | $8,000 | 15.2% | $6,149 |
By annual infant-care cost, Oklahoma ranks #32 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 Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, the median price of center-based infant care is about $7,631 per year ($147 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 4% 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 Oklahoma?
Median center-based infant care in Oklahoma costs about 14.7% of the state's median household income ($51,821). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Oklahoma is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Oklahoma?
Family (home-based) childcare in Oklahoma is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $5,744 per year versus $7,631 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 Oklahoma childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Oklahoma 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 77 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