Tennessee childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 95 counties
In Tennessee, median center-based infant care costs about $6,605 per year ($127/week) — about 17% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 12.6% of Tennessee's median household income ($52,328), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $5,720/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.
Tennessee 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) | $127 | $6,605 | 12.6% | $98 | $5,070 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $110 | $5,720 | 10.9% | $98 | $5,070 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $110 | $5,720 | 10.9% | $98 | $5,070 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $50 | $2,600 | 5.0% | $70 | $3,640 |
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 Tennessee's median household income of $52,328. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Tennessee families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Tennessee, a year of center-based infant care ($6,605) 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 Tennessee sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($5,720/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Tennessee compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Tennessee:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (this state) | $6,605 | 12.6% | $5,720 |
| West Virginia | $6,714 | 14.7% | $5,819 |
| Louisiana | $6,430 | 13.2% | $6,238 |
| South Carolina | $6,370 | 12.3% | $5,395 |
| Idaho | $6,917 | 12.9% | $5,906 |
| Missouri | $6,922 | 12.6% | $5,377 |
By annual infant-care cost, Tennessee ranks #40 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Tennessee
County-level median prices we publish for Tennessee:
- Shelby County — infant center care $9,620/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the median price of center-based infant care is about $6,605 per year ($127 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 17% 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 Tennessee?
Median center-based infant care in Tennessee costs about 12.6% of the state's median household income ($52,328). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Tennessee is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Tennessee?
Family (home-based) childcare in Tennessee is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $5,070 per year versus $6,605 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 Tennessee childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Tennessee 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 95 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