Child care tuition in Iowa is relatively low compared to the rest of the country, averaging $7,626 across care types. This is largely due to the state’s lower cost of living in many areas. But tuition rates vary significantly depending on the locale, the age of the children, whether care is provided in a center or a home, and several other factors. Statewide, average annual tuition ranges from just under $6,000 to $11,200. 

Care specialization, local supply and demand, and competition also play important roles in pricing. Using county-level benchmarks broken down by age and care type, Iowa providers can confidently set or adjust their tuition rates for 2026. With overhead costs continuing to rise, regularly reviewing your pricing is essential to ensure revenue meets – and ideally exceeds – expenses. This guide delivers those county-level benchmarks along with practical tips to help you price your services accurately and effectively.

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How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Iowa

Child care directors in Iowa can use the data in this guide to understand the typical rates prospective families are seeing in their local market. However, pricing against the competition is not the only factor to consider. Ultimately, you need to set prices that are attractive to your target families while covering all of your expenses – and ideally generating a profit. 

In addition to local averages, providers should also consider their service differentiation, local supply and demand dynamics, reputation, special accreditations, and any other relevant factors. For more guidance on pricing your child care services effectively in Iowa, check out Playground’s full tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in Iowa 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 Iowa for Child Care

Dallas County has the highest priced child care tuition on average at $8,887 across care types for those under age five. The top 10 most expensive counties in Iowa for child care also include:

1. Dallas County: $8,887

2. Polk County: $8,482

3. Johnson County: $8,464

4. Story County: $8,164

5. Warren County: $8,115

6. Madison County: $8,077

7. Pottawattamie County: $8,073

8. Scott County: $8,049

9. Black Hawk County: $8,046

10. Muscatine County: $8,010

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

Least Expensive Counties in Iowa for Child Care

Across Iowa, Floyd County has the lowest average annual child care tuition for 2026 at $7,100. Other counties among the lowest tuition across ages and care types include:

1. Floyd County: $7,100

2. Palo Alto County: $7,130

3. Cherokee County: $7,186

4. Decatur County: $7,210

5. Humboldt County: $7,216

6. Winnebago County: $7,223

7. Wayne County: $7,236

8. Sac County: $7,262

9. Taylor County: $7,292

10. O'Brien County: $7,295

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

Average Child Care Costs in Iowa by County

Each of the 99 Iowa counties is listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2026 dollars based on the center type and child age, as well as a countywide average across all segments.

1. Adair County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,538

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,679

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,359

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,340

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,255

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,340

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,255

2. Adams County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,733

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,928

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,523

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,556

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,417

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,556

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,417

3. Allamakee County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,535

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,674

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,357

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,337

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,252

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,337

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,252

4. Appanoose County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,430

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,435

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,366

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,129

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,262

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,129

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,262

5. Audubon County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,542

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,683

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,363

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,343

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,258

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,343

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,258

6. Benton County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,727

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,922

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,519

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,549

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,411

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,549

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,411

7. Black Hawk County

   • Average child care tuition: $8,046

   • Infant, center-based care: $10,235

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,875

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,820

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,763

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,820

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,763

8. Boone County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,799

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,902

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,682

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,532

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,573

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,532

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,573

9. Bremer County

   • Average child care tuition: $7,634

   • Infant, center-based care: $9,693

   • Infant, home-based care: $6,540

   • Toddler, center-based care: $8,353

   • Toddler, home-based care: $6,434

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,353

   • Preschool, home-based care: $6,434

10. Buchanan County

• Average child care tuition: $7,606

• Infant, center-based care: $9,656

• Infant, home-based care: $6,517

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,321

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,410

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,410

11. Buena Vista County

• Average child care tuition: $7,545

• Infant, center-based care: $9,579

• Infant, home-based care: $6,464

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,255

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,358

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,255

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,358

12. Butler County

• Average child care tuition: $7,624

• Infant, center-based care: $9,789

• Infant, home-based care: $6,431

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,435

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,326

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,435

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,326

13. Calhoun County

• Average child care tuition: $7,468

• Infant, center-based care: $9,589

• Infant, home-based care: $6,301

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,263

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,196

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,263

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,196

14. Carroll County

• Average child care tuition: $7,323

• Infant, center-based care: $9,298

• Infant, home-based care: $6,274

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,172

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,011

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,172

15. Cass County

• Average child care tuition: $7,302

• Infant, center-based care: $9,270

• Infant, home-based care: $6,256

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,989

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,153

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,989

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,153

16. Cedar County

• Average child care tuition: $7,906

• Infant, center-based care: $10,152

• Infant, home-based care: $6,670

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,748

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,560

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,748

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,560

17. Cerro Gordo County

• Average child care tuition: $7,636

• Infant, center-based care: $9,695

• Infant, home-based care: $6,542

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,354

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,437

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,354

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,437

18. Cherokee County

• Average child care tuition: $7,186

• Infant, center-based care: $9,123

• Infant, home-based care: $6,156

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,861

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,056

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,861

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,056

19. Chickasaw County

• Average child care tuition: $7,639

• Infant, center-based care: $9,809

• Infant, home-based care: $6,444

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,452

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,339

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,452

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,339

20. Clarke County

• Average child care tuition: $7,316

• Infant, center-based care: $9,289

• Infant, home-based care: $6,269

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,005

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,166

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,005

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,166

21. Clay County

• Average child care tuition: $7,458

• Infant, center-based care: $9,469

• Infant, home-based care: $6,390

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,160

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,285

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,160

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,285

22. Clayton County

• Average child care tuition: $7,571

• Infant, center-based care: $9,723

• Infant, home-based care: $6,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,376

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,283

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,376

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,283

23. Clinton County

• Average child care tuition: $7,579

• Infant, center-based care: $9,622

• Infant, home-based care: $6,494

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,292

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,387

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,292

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,387

24. Crawford County

• Average child care tuition: $7,399

• Infant, center-based care: $9,393

• Infant, home-based care: $6,339

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,094

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,235

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,094

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,235

25. Dallas County

• Average child care tuition: $8,887

• Infant, center-based care: $11,283

• Infant, home-based care: $7,614

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,724

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,490

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,724

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,490

26. Davis County

• Average child care tuition: $7,921

• Infant, center-based care: $10,171

• Infant, home-based care: $6,683

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,764

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,573

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,764

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,573

27. Decatur County

• Average child care tuition: $7,210

• Infant, center-based care: $9,257

• Infant, home-based care: $6,081

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,977

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,983

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,977

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,983

28. Delaware County

• Average child care tuition: $7,613

• Infant, center-based care: $9,774

• Infant, home-based care: $6,423

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,424

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,317

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,424

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,317

29. Des Moines County

• Average child care tuition: $7,819

• Infant, center-based care: $9,927

• Infant, home-based care: $6,699

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,590

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,555

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,590

30. Dickinson County

• Average child care tuition: $7,931

• Infant, center-based care: $10,070

• Infant, home-based care: $6,795

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,677

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,685

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,677

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,685

• Dubuque County

• Average child care tuition: $7,964

• Infant, center-based care: $10,111

• Infant, home-based care: $6,824

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,713

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,711

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,713

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,711

32. Emmet County

• Average child care tuition: $7,388

• Infant, center-based care: $9,380

• Infant, home-based care: $6,330

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,083

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,226

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,083

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,226

33. Fayette County

• Average child care tuition: $7,677

• Infant, center-based care: $9,859

• Infant, home-based care: $6,477

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,494

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,370

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,494

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,370

34. Floyd County

• Average child care tuition: $7,100

• Infant, center-based care: $9,015

• Infant, home-based care: $6,083

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,768

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,983

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,768

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,983

35. Franklin County

• Average child care tuition: $7,330

• Infant, center-based care: $9,307

• Infant, home-based care: $6,281

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,020

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,177

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,020

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,177

36. Fremont County

• Average child care tuition: $7,520

• Infant, center-based care: $9,655

• Infant, home-based care: $6,345

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,320

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,240

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,320

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,240

37. Greene County

• Average child care tuition: $7,659

• Infant, center-based care: $9,725

• Infant, home-based care: $6,561

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,378

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,455

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,378

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,455

38. Grundy County

• Average child care tuition: $7,661

• Infant, center-based care: $9,837

• Infant, home-based care: $6,463

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,477

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,357

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,477

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,357

39. Guthrie County

• Average child care tuition: $7,778

• Infant, center-based care: $9,986

• Infant, home-based care: $6,561

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,606

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,454

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,606

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,454

40. Hamilton County

• Average child care tuition: $7,702

• Infant, center-based care: $9,779

• Infant, home-based care: $6,599

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,426

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,491

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,426

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,491

41. Hancock County

• Average child care tuition: $7,729

• Infant, center-based care: $9,924

• Infant, home-based care: $6,520

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,552

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,414

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,552

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,414

42. Hardin County

• Average child care tuition: $7,629

• Infant, center-based care: $9,794

• Infant, home-based care: $6,437

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,441

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,331

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,441

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,331

43. Harrison County

• Average child care tuition: $7,869

• Infant, center-based care: $10,104

• Infant, home-based care: $6,638

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,706

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,530

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,706

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,530

44. Henry County

• Average child care tuition: $7,389

• Infant, center-based care: $9,381

• Infant, home-based care: $6,331

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,083

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,227

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,083

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,227

45. Howard County

• Average child care tuition: $7,339

• Infant, center-based care: $9,318

• Infant, home-based care: $6,289

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,030

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,185

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,030

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,185

46. Humboldt County

• Average child care tuition: $7,216

• Infant, center-based care: $9,162

• Infant, home-based care: $6,183

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,895

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,081

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,895

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,081

47. Ida County

• Average child care tuition: $7,310

• Infant, center-based care: $9,387

• Infant, home-based care: $6,167

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,088

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,066

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,088

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,066

48. Iowa County

• Average child care tuition: $7,590

• Infant, center-based care: $9,746

• Infant, home-based care: $6,402

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,397

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,298

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,397

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,298

49. Jackson County

• Average child care tuition: $7,413

• Infant, center-based care: $9,412

• Infant, home-based care: $6,352

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,110

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,248

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,110

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,248

50. Jasper County

• Average child care tuition: $7,654

• Infant, center-based care: $9,717

• Infant, home-based care: $6,558

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,374

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,450

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,374

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,450

51. Jefferson County

• Average child care tuition: $7,670

• Infant, center-based care: $9,738

• Infant, home-based care: $6,571

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,392

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,463

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,392

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,463

52. Johnson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,464

• Infant, center-based care: $10,746

• Infant, home-based care: $7,251

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,260

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,132

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,260

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,132

53. Jones County

• Average child care tuition: $7,315

• Infant, center-based care: $9,287

• Infant, home-based care: $6,267

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,003

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,164

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,003

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,164

54. Keokuk County

• Average child care tuition: $7,587

• Infant, center-based care: $9,742

• Infant, home-based care: $6,401

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,394

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,295

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,295

55. Kossuth County

• Average child care tuition: $7,651

• Infant, center-based care: $9,714

• Infant, home-based care: $6,556

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,371

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,448

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,371

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,448

56. Lee County

• Average child care tuition: $7,530

• Infant, center-based care: $9,561

• Infant, home-based care: $6,453

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,238

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,346

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,238

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,346

57. Linn County

• Average child care tuition: $7,940

• Infant, center-based care: $10,100

• Infant, home-based care: $6,784

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,703

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,673

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,703

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,673

58. Louisa County

• Average child care tuition: $7,644

• Infant, center-based care: $9,815

• Infant, home-based care: $6,449

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,457

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,343

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,457

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,343

59. Lucas County

• Average child care tuition: $7,525

• Infant, center-based care: $9,554

• Infant, home-based care: $6,446

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,233

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,342

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,233

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,342

60. Lyon County

• Average child care tuition: $7,734

• Infant, center-based care: $9,930

• Infant, home-based care: $6,525

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,558

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,418

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,558

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,418

• Madison County

• Average child care tuition: $8,077

• Infant, center-based care: $10,254

• Infant, home-based care: $6,920

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,836

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,807

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,836

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,807

62. Mahaska County

• Average child care tuition: $7,531

• Infant, center-based care: $9,562

• Infant, home-based care: $6,453

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,239

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,347

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,239

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,347

63. Marion County

• Average child care tuition: $7,773

• Infant, center-based care: $9,869

• Infant, home-based care: $6,659

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,505

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,551

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,505

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,551

64. Marshall County

• Average child care tuition: $7,723

• Infant, center-based care: $9,805

• Infant, home-based care: $6,616

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,449

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,508

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,449

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,508

65. Mills County

• Average child care tuition: $7,797

• Infant, center-based care: $9,899

• Infant, home-based care: $6,680

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,530

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,571

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,530

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,571

66. Mitchell County

• Average child care tuition: $7,381

• Infant, center-based care: $9,372

• Infant, home-based care: $6,325

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,075

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,220

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,075

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,220

67. Monona County

• Average child care tuition: $7,636

• Infant, center-based care: $9,805

• Infant, home-based care: $6,443

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,449

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,336

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,449

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,336

68. Monroe County

• Average child care tuition: $7,429

• Infant, center-based care: $9,433

• Infant, home-based care: $6,366

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,128

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,261

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,128

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,261

69. Montgomery County

• Average child care tuition: $7,358

• Infant, center-based care: $9,342

• Infant, home-based care: $6,304

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,050

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,201

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,050

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,201

70. Muscatine County

• Average child care tuition: $8,010

• Infant, center-based care: $10,170

• Infant, home-based care: $6,863

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,763

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,750

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,763

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,750

71. O'Brien County

• Average child care tuition: $7,295

• Infant, center-based care: $9,261

• Infant, home-based care: $6,250

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,980

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,148

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,980

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,148

72. Osceola County

• Average child care tuition: $7,621

• Infant, center-based care: $9,676

• Infant, home-based care: $6,530

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,338

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,423

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,423

73. Page County

• Average child care tuition: $7,416

• Infant, center-based care: $9,416

• Infant, home-based care: $6,354

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,113

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,249

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,113

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,249

74. Palo Alto County

• Average child care tuition: $7,130

• Infant, center-based care: $9,053

• Infant, home-based care: $6,109

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,801

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,009

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,801

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,009

75. Plymouth County

• Average child care tuition: $7,711

• Infant, center-based care: $9,791

• Infant, home-based care: $6,607

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,436

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,436

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,499

76. Pocahontas County

• Average child care tuition: $7,567

• Infant, center-based care: $9,715

• Infant, home-based care: $6,384

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,372

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,278

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,372

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,278

77. Polk County

• Average child care tuition: $8,482

• Infant, center-based care: $10,789

• Infant, home-based care: $7,247

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,297

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,129

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,297

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,129

78. Pottawattamie County

• Average child care tuition: $8,073

• Infant, center-based care: $10,249

• Infant, home-based care: $6,916

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,832

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,804

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,832

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,804

79. Poweshiek County

• Average child care tuition: $7,739

• Infant, center-based care: $9,825

• Infant, home-based care: $6,631

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,467

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,521

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,521

80. Ringgold County

• Average child care tuition: $7,485

• Infant, center-based care: $9,611

• Infant, home-based care: $6,314

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,281

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,212

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,281

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,212

81. Sac County

• Average child care tuition: $7,262

• Infant, center-based care: $9,325

• Infant, home-based care: $6,126

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,034

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,026

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,034

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,026

82. Scott County

• Average child care tuition: $8,049

• Infant, center-based care: $10,240

• Infant, home-based care: $6,878

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,823

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,765

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,823

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,765

83. Shelby County

• Average child care tuition: $7,857

• Infant, center-based care: $9,975

• Infant, home-based care: $6,731

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,596

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,621

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,596

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,621

84. Sioux County

• Average child care tuition: $7,658

• Infant, center-based care: $9,724

• Infant, home-based care: $6,561

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,378

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,454

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,378

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,454

85. Story County

• Average child care tuition: $8,164

• Infant, center-based care: $10,366

• Infant, home-based care: $6,994

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,932

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,880

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,932

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,880

86. Tama County

• Average child care tuition: $7,859

• Infant, center-based care: $10,091

• Infant, home-based care: $6,629

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,695

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,521

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,695

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,521

87. Taylor County

• Average child care tuition: $7,292

• Infant, center-based care: $9,363

• Infant, home-based care: $6,152

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,067

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,052

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,067

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,052

88. Union County

• Average child care tuition: $7,322

• Infant, center-based care: $9,297

• Infant, home-based care: $6,273

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,011

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,011

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,171

• Van Buren County

• Average child care tuition: $7,337

• Infant, center-based care: $9,420

• Infant, home-based care: $6,190

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,117

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,089

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,117

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,089

90. Wapello County

• Average child care tuition: $7,890

• Infant, center-based care: $10,017

• Infant, home-based care: $6,761

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,632

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,649

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,632

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,649

91. Warren County

• Average child care tuition: $8,115

• Infant, center-based care: $10,303

• Infant, home-based care: $6,953

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,877

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,839

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,877

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,839

92. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $7,773

• Infant, center-based care: $9,868

• Infant, home-based care: $6,659

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,504

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,551

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,504

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,551

93. Wayne County

• Average child care tuition: $7,236

• Infant, center-based care: $9,290

• Infant, home-based care: $6,105

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,006

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,004

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,006

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,004

94. Webster County

• Average child care tuition: $7,457

• Infant, center-based care: $9,468

• Infant, home-based care: $6,389

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,159

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,284

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,159

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,284

95. Winnebago County

• Average child care tuition: $7,223

• Infant, center-based care: $9,170

• Infant, home-based care: $6,188

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,902

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,087

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,902

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,087

96. Winneshiek County

• Average child care tuition: $7,513

• Infant, center-based care: $9,538

• Infant, home-based care: $6,438

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,220

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,331

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,220

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,331

97. Woodbury County

• Average child care tuition: $7,947

• Infant, center-based care: $10,091

• Infant, home-based care: $6,809

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,695

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,697

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,695

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,697

98. Worth County

• Average child care tuition: $7,452

• Infant, center-based care: $9,567

• Infant, home-based care: $6,287

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,244

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,183

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,244

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,183

99. Wright County

• Average child care tuition: $7,385

• Infant, center-based care: $9,375

• Infant, home-based care: $6,326

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,080

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,224

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,080

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,224

Data and Methodology

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