Childcare costs

Costs for childcare relative to income are rising over time, with families spending on average 8.9% to 16% of their median income for a full-day care for one child in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2018-2022). In general, families pay more for home-based childcare than center-based childcare, but there can be variability. The cost for childcare depends on whether the care is part-day or full-day, and the ages of the children.

Data indicates that costs of center-based childcare for all ages in Lenawee County declined from 2018-2021 and rose again in 2022. The percentage (%) change from 2021 to 2022 ranges from 13% to 22%, depending on the child’s age. The median yearly price of center-based childcare for one child in Lenawee County in 2022 was estimated to cost $6,469 for an infant, $6,469 for a toddler, and $6,240 for a preschooler (U.S. Department of Labor, 2018-2022). This means that half of Lenawee County families with one child in center-based childcare would spend less than the median cost, and the other half would spend more than the median cost. The average annual cost of center-based childcare by age group in Lenawee County is visualized in Figure 4 (in USD), though some families or individuals will experience costs that diverge from the stated averages.