Virginia childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 133 counties
In Virginia, median center-based infant care costs about $8,840 per year ($170/week) — about 11% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 11.3% of Virginia's median household income ($78,484), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $7,020/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.
Virginia 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) | $170 | $8,840 | 11.3% | $135 | $7,020 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $135 | $7,020 | 8.9% | $115 | $5,980 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $135 | $7,020 | 8.9% | $115 | $5,980 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $120 | $6,240 | 8.0% | $100 | $5,200 |
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 Virginia's median household income of $78,484. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Virginia families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Virginia, a year of center-based infant care ($8,840) is equal to about 11.3% 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 Virginia sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($7,020/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Virginia compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Virginia:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this state) | $8,840 | 11.3% | $7,020 |
| Illinois | $8,718 | 13.3% | $6,500 |
| Colorado | $9,017 | 13.8% | $7,231 |
| North Carolina | $8,579 | 15.9% | $6,031 |
| Nevada | $9,112 | 16.3% | $8,642 |
| Michigan | $8,495 | 15.1% | $7,433 |
By annual infant-care cost, Virginia ranks #24 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Virginia
County-level median prices we publish for Virginia:
- Fairfax County — infant center care $19,500/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Virginia?
In Virginia, the median price of center-based infant care is about $8,840 per year ($170 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 11% 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 Virginia?
Median center-based infant care in Virginia costs about 11.3% of the state's median household income ($78,484). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Virginia is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Virginia?
Family (home-based) childcare in Virginia is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $7,020 per year versus $8,840 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 Virginia childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Virginia 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.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 133 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