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Childcare Costs in Essex County, MA

FIPS: 25009 · Data year: 2022

$24,001

Center Infant/yr

$13,000

Family Infant/yr

$94,378

Median Income

25.4%

% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$24,001	$13,000	+$11,001
Toddler	$21,242	$11,960	+$9,282
Preschool	$16,120	$10,400	+$5,720
School Age	$11,180	$11,115	+$65

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $24,001

Toddler $21,242

Preschool $16,120

School Age $11,180

Affordability Context

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's income.

Center infant cost: $24,001

Median household income: $94,378

Cost as % of income: 25.4%

7% affordability threshold: $6,606/year

Cost History (Center-Based Infant)

Year	Infant	Toddler	Preschool	School Age
2008	$17,420	$15,600	$11,996	$5,200
2009	$17,680	$15,773	$12,161	$5,200
2010	$17,940	$15,947	$12,326	$5,200
2011	$18,200	$16,120	$12,490	$5,200
2012	$18,369	$16,198	$12,618	$6,500
2013	$18,538	$16,276	$12,745	$7,800
2014	$18,707	$16,354	$12,873	$9,100
2015	$18,876	$16,432	$13,000	$10,400
2016	$19,500	$16,703	$13,433	$10,400
2017	$20,124	$16,974	$13,867	$10,400
2018	$20,748	$17,246	$14,300	$10,400
2019	$21,561	$18,245	$14,755	$10,595
2020	$22,375	$19,244	$15,210	$10,790
2021	$23,187	$20,243	$15,665	$10,985
2022	$24,001	$21,242	$16,120	$11,180

More Data for Essex County

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Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices.