In Alabama, the average annual cost of child care for children five and under is $7,515 in 2026. Prices vary widely by age, setting, local cost of living, and provider specialization. Care in Shelby County, for example, typically costs about 30% more than in Randolph County.

That spread is useful for new providers and for programs updating tuition to match current costs. Local benchmarks help keep prices competitive and realistic for families, alongside operating costs, staffing, and the services a program offers. The county breakdowns below show how those prices differ across the state.

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How to price child care and daycare services in Alabama

What a family pays in Birmingham or Shelby County is seldom the same as Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, or a rural county with thin licensed supply. Facility costs, staff-to-child ratios, food and materials, licensing load, and how many other programs sit within a reasonable drive all matter more than any single statewide number. Tuition still has to follow local wage pressure, especially where care already takes a large share of household earnings.

Programs that stand out can often price above the nearby going rate. That may mean a higher Alabama Quality STARS level, year-round or nontraditional hours, infant classrooms that remain open when neighboring sites drop them, or a curriculum families cannot match a few miles away. Even then, fees should be checked against real enrollment, waitlists, utilities and payroll strain, and seasonal dips in demand. Modest, recurring updates usually hold better than leaving rates untouched for years. Playground’s full child care tuition pricing guide walks through a method for building and revising those rates from your own books and the local Alabama market.

Average child care tuition in Alabama by center type and age

Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.

Most expensive counties in Alabama for child care

Across all ages and provider types, the most expensive counties in Alabama for child care in 2026 include:

1. Shelby County: $8,674

2. Jefferson County: $8,657

3. (tie) Blount County: $8,631

      3.   (tie) St. Clair County: $8,631

      3.   (tie) Walker County: $8,631

      6.   (tie) Colbert County $8,355

      6.   (tie) Lauderdale County: $8,355

      6.   (tie) Limestone County: $8,355

      6.   (tie) Madison County: $8,355

      6.   (tie) Morgan County: $8,355

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.

Least expensive counties in Alabama for child care

Three Alabama counties are tied for least expensive for 2026 at an average of $5,868 annually across care types: Cherokee, Dekalb, and Jackson. Center-based infant care is highest at $7,153, while home-based care across all ages averages about $5,050.

Average child care costs in Alabama by county

All 67 Alabama counties are listed alphabetically with breakdowns of average prices across infant, preschool and toddler care in centers and homes. 

1. Autauga County

• Average child care tuition: $8,160

• Infant, center-based care: $8,872

• Infant, home-based care: $8,259

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,892

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,604

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,892

2. Baldwin County

• Average child care tuition: $7,848

• Infant, center-based care: $8,112

• Infant, home-based care: $7,879

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,858

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,879

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,478

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,879

3. Barbour County

• Average child care tuition: $6,746

• Infant, center-based care: $7,415

• Infant, home-based care: $6,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,098

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,718

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,432

4. Bibb County

• Average child care tuition: $7,184

• Infant, center-based care: $8,301

• Infant, home-based care: $6,303

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,061

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,303

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,833

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,303

5. Blount County

• Average child care tuition: $8,631

• Infant, center-based care: $8,880

• Infant, home-based care: $8,858

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,155

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,630

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,394

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

6. Bullock County

• Average child care tuition: $8,160

• Infant, center-based care: $8,872

• Infant, home-based care: $8,259

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,892

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,604

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,892

7. Butler County

• Average child care tuition: $8,129

• Infant, center-based care: $8,814

• Infant, home-based care: $8,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,392

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,882

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,882

8. Calhoun County

• Average child care tuition: $6,639

• Infant, center-based care: $6,984

• Infant, home-based care: $6,303

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,971

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,303

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,971

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,303

9. Chambers County

• Average child care tuition: $8,002

• Infant, center-based care: $8,213

• Infant, home-based care: $8,128

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,175

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,042

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,643

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,814

10. Cherokee County

• Average child care tuition: $5,868

• Infant, center-based care: $7,153

• Infant, home-based care: $5,036

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,560

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,102

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,256

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,102

11. Chilton County

• Average child care tuition: $8,129

• Infant, center-based care: $8,814

• Infant, home-based care: $8,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,392

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,882

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,882

12. Choctaw County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

13. Clarke County

• Average child care tuition: $7,815

• Infant, center-based care: $8,053

• Infant, home-based care: $7,870

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,804

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,870

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,423

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

14. Clay County

• Average child care tuition: $6,612

• Infant, center-based care: $6,936

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,925

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,925

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

15. Cleburne County

• Average child care tuition: $6,612

• Infant, center-based care: $6,936

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,925

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,925

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

16. Coffee County

• Average child care tuition: $6,746

• Infant, center-based care: $7,415

• Infant, home-based care: $6,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,098

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,718

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,432

17. Colbert County

• Average child care tuition: $8,355

• Infant, center-based care: $8,277

• Infant, home-based care: $8,889

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,188

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,523

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,731

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,523

18. Conecuh County

• Average child care tuition: $7,815

• Infant, center-based care: $8,053

• Infant, home-based care: $7,870

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,804

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,870

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,423

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

19. Coosa County

• Average child care tuition: $6,612

• Infant, center-based care: $6,936

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,925

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,925

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

20. Covington County

• Average child care tuition: $8,160

• Infant, center-based care: $8,872

• Infant, home-based care: $8,259

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,892

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,604

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,892

21. Crenshaw County

• Average child care tuition: $6,722

• Infant, center-based care: $7,372

• Infant, home-based care: $6,374

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,056

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,427

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,676

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,427

22. Cullman County

• Average child care tuition: $8,320

• Infant, center-based care: $8,211

• Infant, home-based care: $8,880

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,129

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,512

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,673

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,512

23. Dale County

• Average child care tuition: $6,746

• Infant, center-based care: $7,415

• Infant, home-based care: $6,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,098

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,718

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,432

24. Dallas County

• Average child care tuition: $8,160

• Infant, center-based care: $8,872

• Infant, home-based care: $8,259

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,892

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,604

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,892

25. DeKalb County

• Average child care tuition: $5,868

• Infant, center-based care: $7,153

• Infant, home-based care: $5,036

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,560

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,102

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,256

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,102

26. Elmore County

• Average child care tuition: $8,160

• Infant, center-based care: $8,872

• Infant, home-based care: $8,259

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,892

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,604

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,892

27. Escambia County

• Average child care tuition: $7,848

• Infant, center-based care: $8,112

• Infant, home-based care: $7,879

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,858

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,879

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,478

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,879

28. Etowah County

• Average child care tuition: $5,894

• Infant, center-based care: $7,200

• Infant, home-based care: $5,043

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,603

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,108

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,300

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,108

29. Fayette County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

30. Franklin County

• Average child care tuition: $8,320

• Infant, center-based care: $8,211

• Infant, home-based care: $8,880

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,129

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,512

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,673

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,512

31. Geneva County

• Average child care tuition: $6,722

• Infant, center-based care: $7,372

• Infant, home-based care: $6,374

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,056

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,427

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,676

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,427

32. Greene County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

33. Hale County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

34. Henry County

• Average child care tuition: $6,722

• Infant, center-based care: $7,372

• Infant, home-based care: $6,374

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,056

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,427

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,676

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,427

35. Houston County

• Average child care tuition: $6,746

• Infant, center-based care: $7,415

• Infant, home-based care: $6,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,098

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,718

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,432

36. Jackson County

• Average child care tuition: $5,868

• Infant, center-based care: $7,153

• Infant, home-based care: $5,036

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,560

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,102

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,256

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,102

37. Jefferson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,657

• Infant, center-based care: $8,934

• Infant, home-based care: $8,858

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,205

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,630

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,445

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

38. Lamar County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

39. Lauderdale County

• Average child care tuition: $8,355

• Infant, center-based care: $8,277

• Infant, home-based care: $8,889

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,188

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,523

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,731

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,523

40. Lawrence County

• Average child care tuition: $8,320

• Infant, center-based care: $8,211

• Infant, home-based care: $8,880

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,129

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,512

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,673

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,512

41. Lee County

• Average child care tuition: $8,002

• Infant, center-based care: $8,213

• Infant, home-based care: $8,128

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,175

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,042

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,643

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,814

42. Limestone County

• Average child care tuition: $8,355

• Infant, center-based care: $8,277

• Infant, home-based care: $8,889

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,188

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,523

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,731

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,523

43. Lowndes County

• Average child care tuition: $8,129

• Infant, center-based care: $8,814

• Infant, home-based care: $8,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,392

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,882

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,882

44. Macon County

• Average child care tuition: $8,002

• Infant, center-based care: $8,213

• Infant, home-based care: $8,128

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,175

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,042

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,643

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,814

45. Madison County

• Average child care tuition: $8,355

• Infant, center-based care: $8,277

• Infant, home-based care: $8,889

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,188

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,523

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,731

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,523

46. Marengo County

• Average child care tuition: $7,184

• Infant, center-based care: $8,301

• Infant, home-based care: $6,303

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,061

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,303

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,833

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,303

47. Marion County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

48. Marshall County

• Average child care tuition: $5,894

• Infant, center-based care: $7,200

• Infant, home-based care: $5,043

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,603

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,108

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,300

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,108

49. Mobile County

• Average child care tuition: $7,848

• Infant, center-based care: $8,112

• Infant, home-based care: $7,879

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,858

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,879

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,478

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,879

50. Monroe County

• Average child care tuition: $7,815

• Infant, center-based care: $8,053

• Infant, home-based care: $7,870

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,804

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,870

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,423

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

51. Montgomery County

• Average child care tuition: $8,147

• Infant, center-based care: $8,854

• Infant, home-based care: $8,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,426

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,882

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,589

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,882

52. Morgan County

• Average child care tuition: $8,355

• Infant, center-based care: $8,277

• Infant, home-based care: $8,889

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,188

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,523

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,731

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,523

53. Perry County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

54. Pickens County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

55. Pike County

• Average child care tuition: $6,746

• Infant, center-based care: $7,415

• Infant, home-based care: $6,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,098

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,718

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,432

56. Randolph County

• Average child care tuition: $6,612

• Infant, center-based care: $6,936

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,925

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,925

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

57. Russell County

• Average child care tuition: $8,002

• Infant, center-based care: $8,213

• Infant, home-based care: $8,128

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,175

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,042

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,643

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,814

58. Shelby County

• Average child care tuition: $8,674

• Infant, center-based care: $8,961

• Infant, home-based care: $8,868

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,227

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,640

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,467

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,879

59. St. Clair County

• Average child care tuition: $8,631

• Infant, center-based care: $8,880

• Infant, home-based care: $8,858

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,155

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,630

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,394

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

60. Sumter County

• Average child care tuition: $7,155

• Infant, center-based care: $8,250

• Infant, home-based care: $6,295

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,783

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

61. Talladega County

• Average child care tuition: $6,639

• Infant, center-based care: $6,984

• Infant, home-based care: $6,303

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,971

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,303

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,971

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,303

62. Tallapoosa County

• Average child care tuition: $7,969

• Infant, center-based care: $8,152

• Infant, home-based care: $8,119

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,119

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,032

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,587

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,804

63. Tuscaloosa County

• Average child care tuition: $7,184

• Infant, center-based care: $8,301

• Infant, home-based care: $6,303

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,061

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,303

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,833

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,303

64. Walker County

• Average child care tuition: $8,631

• Infant, center-based care: $8,880

• Infant, home-based care: $8,858

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,155

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,630

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,394

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

65. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $7,815

• Infant, center-based care: $8,053

• Infant, home-based care: $7,870

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,804

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,870

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,423

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,870

66. Wilcox County

• Average child care tuition: $8,129

• Infant, center-based care: $8,814

• Infant, home-based care: $8,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,392

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,882

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,882

67. Winston County

• Average child care tuition: $8,320

• Infant, center-based care: $8,211

• Infant, home-based care: $8,880

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,129

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,512

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,673

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,512

Data and Methodology

The data above is based on data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau), and adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December 2024 through April 2026.