North Carolina child care tuition prices vary widely, ranging from an average of $6,600 to $15,900 annually across care types depending on the county. Statewide, the average annual tuition is $8,909 across centers and homes for children ages 0 through 5. The age of the children, center type, local economics, and other factors can cause prices to fluctuate – sometimes significantly – from these averages.

Child care directors and their teams should stay mindful of how local competitors price their services and where their own rates sit in comparison. When setting or adjusting prices, it is important to understand the local market for both families and providers, and to assess whether your care offerings are distinct enough to justify higher or lower rates than the competition. With this in mind, Playground evaluated average tuition data across North Carolina’s counties, providing a breakdown by care type for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at both higher-cost center-based providers and more affordable home-based providers.

Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.

How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in North Carolina

The stark contrast in care prices across the state means child care directors need to pay close attention when setting their rates, as drifting too far from local norms often requires some level of justification, such as via premier service quality or availability. Pricing too high can discourage families from considering your program or committing to enrollment. Pricing too low, on the other hand, may leave your business without the cash reserves needed to operate sustainably and grow.

Review the factors outlined in Playground’s full tuition pricing guide before finalizing your rates. While benchmarks are not the be-all and end-all of pricing, they offer a strong starting point for seeing where your services stand relative to the competition.

Average Child Care Costs in North Carolina 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 North Carolina for Child Care

Across North Carolina, Orange County is most expensive across care types at an average of $15,883 annually. The rest of the top 10 most expensive counties for child care tuition in the state include:

1. Orange County: $15,883

2. Wake County: $13,866

3. Durham County: $13,864

4. Mecklenburg County: $12,729

5. Dare County: $11,445

6. Union County: $11,309

7. Cabarrus County: $11,046

8. Pitt County: $10,456

9. Chatham County: $10,429

10. New Hanover County: $10,421

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

Least Expensive Counties in North Carolina for Child Care

Statewide, Mitchell County has the least expensive average child care tuition in 2026 across ages and care types at $6,569. The rest of the top 10 least expensive counties for child care in North Carolina include:

1. Mitchell County: $6,569

2. Yadkin County: $6,854

3. Columbus County: $6,982

4. Greene County: $7,051

5. Alleghany County: $7,118

6. Bladen County: $7,118

7. Tyrrell County: $7,118

8. Alexander County: $7,214

9. Rockingham County: $7,318

10. Warren County: $7,387

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

Average Child Care Costs in North Carolina by County

Each county in North Carolina (except for Graham County, for which data was not available) is listed in alphabetical order with the average annual tuition across care types, and a breakdown of prices based on center type and child age in 2026 dollars.

1. Orange County

   • Average child care tuition: $15,883

   • Infant, center-based care: $21,594

   • Infant, home-based care: $16,471

   • Toddler, center-based care: $17,790

   • Toddler, home-based care: $13,762

   • Preschool, center-based care: $12,084

   • Preschool, home-based care: $13,599

2. Wake County

   • Average child care tuition: $13,866

   • Infant, center-based care: $18,699

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,176

   • Toddler, center-based care: $15,285

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,257

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,478

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,300

3. Durham County

   • Average child care tuition: $13,864

   • Infant, center-based care: $19,293

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,887

   • Toddler, center-based care: $14,571

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,316

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,463

   • Preschool, home-based care: $11,650

4. Mecklenburg County

   • Average child care tuition: $12,729

   • Infant, center-based care: $17,288

   • Infant, home-based care: $11,529

   • Toddler, center-based care: $15,285

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,932

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,404

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,933

5. Dare County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,445

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,004

   • Infant, home-based care: $11,682

   • Toddler, center-based care: $12,431

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,857

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,777

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,918

6. Union County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,309

   • Infant, center-based care: $15,103

   • Infant, home-based care: $12,226

   • Toddler, center-based care: $12,460

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,173

   • Preschool, center-based care: $7,087

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,808

7. Cabarrus County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,046

   • Infant, center-based care: $15,672

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,587

   • Toddler, center-based care: $12,431

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,871

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,449

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,265

8. Pitt County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,456

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,671

   • Infant, home-based care: $11,500

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,088

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,082

   • Preschool, center-based care: $9,469

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,926

9. Chatham County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,429

   • Infant, center-based care: $13,848

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,898

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,103

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,114

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,069

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,542

10. New Hanover County

• Average child care tuition: $10,421

• Infant, center-based care: $13,576

• Infant, home-based care: $11,178

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,536

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,144

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,536

11. Forsyth County

• Average child care tuition: $10,362

• Infant, center-based care: $12,324

• Infant, home-based care: $11,457

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,270

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,986

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,144

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,987

12. Iredell County

• Average child care tuition: $10,318

• Infant, center-based care: $13,576

• Infant, home-based care: $11,178

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,622

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,584

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,048

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,901

13. Craven County

• Average child care tuition: $10,296

• Infant, center-based care: $12,190

• Infant, home-based care: $10,762

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,137

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,986

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,944

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,754

14. Buncombe County

• Average child care tuition: $10,208

• Infant, center-based care: $11,608

• Infant, home-based care: $10,793

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,039

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,735

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,648

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,426

15. Guilford County

• Average child care tuition: $10,132

• Infant, center-based care: $13,784

• Infant, home-based care: $10,479

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,678

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,901

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,023

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,925

16. Avery County

• Average child care tuition: $10,071

• Infant, center-based care: $14,454

• Infant, home-based care: $10,762

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,175

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,987

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,764

17. Johnston County

• Average child care tuition: $10,058

• Infant, center-based care: $13,171

• Infant, home-based care: $9,309

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,424

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,100

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,078

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,265

18. Ashe County

• Average child care tuition: $10,042

• Infant, center-based care: $10,253

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,620

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,650

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,141

• Preschool, home-based care: $16,644

19. Lincoln County

• Average child care tuition: $10,038

• Infant, center-based care: $12,004

• Infant, home-based care: $11,682

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,415

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,543

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,490

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,092

20. Davie County

• Average child care tuition: $10,000

• Infant, center-based care: $12,671

• Infant, home-based care: $10,828

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,712

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,584

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,832

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,371

21. Henderson County

• Average child care tuition: $9,612

• Infant, center-based care: $11,835

• Infant, home-based care: $10,828

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,048

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,536

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,841

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,584

22. Stanly County

• Average child care tuition: $9,564

• Infant, center-based care: $11,324

• Infant, home-based care: $9,870

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,939

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,654

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,944

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,654

23. Davidson County

• Average child care tuition: $9,520

• Infant, center-based care: $11,004

• Infant, home-based care: $11,134

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,676

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,543

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,837

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,926

24. Onslow County

• Average child care tuition: $9,498

• Infant, center-based care: $12,324

• Infant, home-based care: $9,781

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,229

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,841

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,901

25. Moore County

• Average child care tuition: $9,491

• Infant, center-based care: $11,488

• Infant, home-based care: $11,178

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,350

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,584

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,841

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,503

26. Watauga County

• Average child care tuition: $9,421

• Infant, center-based care: $10,976

• Infant, home-based care: $9,637

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,126

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,527

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,830

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,430

27. Franklin County

• Average child care tuition: $9,413

• Infant, center-based care: $12,183

• Infant, home-based care: $9,710

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,048

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,806

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,144

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,584

28. Cumberland County

• Average child care tuition: $9,358

• Infant, center-based care: $11,158

• Infant, home-based care: $9,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,698

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,135

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,033

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,265

29. Beaufort County

• Average child care tuition: $9,334

• Infant, center-based care: $11,271

• Infant, home-based care: $10,136

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,744

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,214

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,228

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,410

30. Caswell County

• Average child care tuition: $9,317

• Infant, center-based care: $12,324

• Infant, home-based care: NA

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,563

• Toddler, home-based care: NA

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,065

• Preschool, home-based care: NA

31. Pender County

• Average child care tuition: $9,309

• Infant, center-based care: $12,136

• Infant, home-based care: $9,572

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,965

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,584

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,391

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,207

32. Brunswick County

• Average child care tuition: $9,237

• Infant, center-based care: $11,187

• Infant, home-based care: $8,235

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,636

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,281

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,861

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,225

33. Northampton County

• Average child care tuition: $9,138

• Infant, center-based care: $11,853

• Infant, home-based care: $10,693

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,888

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,257

34. Yancey County

• Average child care tuition: $9,138

• Infant, center-based care: $11,853

• Infant, home-based care: $10,693

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,888

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,257

35. Transylvania County

• Average child care tuition: $9,069

• Infant, center-based care: $11,457

• Infant, home-based care: $10,416

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,275

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,323

36. Granville County

• Average child care tuition: $9,031

• Infant, center-based care: $12,183

• Infant, home-based care: $9,082

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,651

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,265

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,057

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,947

37. Carteret County

• Average child care tuition: $9,026

• Infant, center-based care: $12,099

• Infant, home-based care: $10,479

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,841

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,947

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,841

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,947

38. Harnett County

• Average child care tuition: $8,981

• Infant, center-based care: $11,974

• Infant, home-based care: $9,997

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,446

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,265

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,936

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,265

39. Nash County

• Average child care tuition: $8,963

• Infant, center-based care: $9,570

• Infant, home-based care: $11,682

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,004

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,426

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,163

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,934

40. Camden County

• Average child care tuition: $8,960

• Infant, center-based care: $11,005

• Infant, home-based care: $10,111

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,701

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,887

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,124

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,934

41. Jackson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,960

• Infant, center-based care: $11,005

• Infant, home-based care: $10,111

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,701

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,887

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,124

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,934

42. Rowan County

• Average child care tuition: $8,929

• Infant, center-based care: $12,114

• Infant, home-based care: $9,430

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,446

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,403

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,238

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,947

43. Edgecombe County

• Average child care tuition: $8,901

• Infant, center-based care: $11,590

• Infant, home-based care: $8,679

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,944

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,552

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,321

44. Polk County

• Average child care tuition: $8,891

• Infant, center-based care: $10,992

• Infant, home-based care: $9,616

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,551

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,003

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,198

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,989

45. Catawba County

• Average child care tuition: $8,875

• Infant, center-based care: $11,140

• Infant, home-based care: $10,479

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,625

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,265

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,635

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,106

46. Lenoir County

• Average child care tuition: $8,692

• Infant, center-based care: $10,325

• Infant, home-based care: $9,022

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,608

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,920

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,951

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,323

47. Haywood County

• Average child care tuition: $8,690

• Infant, center-based care: $12,371

• Infant, home-based care: $10,883

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,213

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,769

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,635

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,266

48. McDowell County

• Average child care tuition: $8,669

• Infant, center-based care: $9,974

• Infant, home-based care: $9,126

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,601

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,214

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,163

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,934

49. Vance County

• Average child care tuition: $8,652

• Infant, center-based care: $9,772

• Infant, home-based care: $10,102

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,451

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,144

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,837

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,604

50. Currituck County

• Average child care tuition: $8,601

• Infant, center-based care: $10,470

• Infant, home-based care: $10,222

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,072

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,393

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,837

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,612

51. Hyde County

• Average child care tuition: $8,502

• Infant, center-based care: $10,354

• Infant, home-based care: $8,503

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,339

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,518

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,692

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,605

52. Person County

• Average child care tuition: $8,502

• Infant, center-based care: $10,354

• Infant, home-based care: $8,503

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,339

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,518

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,692

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,605

53. Perquimans County

• Average child care tuition: $8,477

• Infant, center-based care: $11,990

• Infant, home-based care: $7,548

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,932

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,699

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,288

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,407

54. Randolph County

• Average child care tuition: $8,474

• Infant, center-based care: $11,626

• Infant, home-based care: $9,082

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,625

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,425

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,238

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,847

55. Wilson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,458

• Infant, center-based care: $10,659

• Infant, home-based care: $6,794

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,275

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,086

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

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,654

56. Caldwell County

• Average child care tuition: $8,453

• Infant, center-based care: $9,992

• Infant, home-based care: $9,104

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,355

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,922

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,022

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,321

57. Wayne County

• Average child care tuition: $8,426

• Infant, center-based care: $9,336

• Infant, home-based care: $9,492

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,399

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,214

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,511

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,604

58. Alamance County

• Average child care tuition: $8,373

• Infant, center-based care: $8,835

• Infant, home-based care: $9,126

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,716

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,178

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,857

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,528

59. Macon County

• Average child care tuition: $8,327

• Infant, center-based care: $10,837

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,281

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

60. Madison County

• Average child care tuition: $8,297

• Infant, center-based care: $9,055

• Infant, home-based care: $9,098

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,533

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,321

61. Wilkes County

• Average child care tuition: $8,288

• Infant, center-based care: $11,145

• Infant, home-based care: $7,638

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,673

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,989

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

62. Stokes County

• Average child care tuition: $8,259

• Infant, center-based care: $10,325

• Infant, home-based care: $8,679

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

63. Burke County

• Average child care tuition: $8,255

• Infant, center-based care: $11,004

• Infant, home-based care: $9,492

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,739

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,228

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,798

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,272

64. Pasquotank County

• Average child care tuition: $8,254

• Infant, center-based care: $9,696

• Infant, home-based care: $9,555

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,328

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,432

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,989

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,524

65. Anson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,248

• Infant, center-based care: $9,659

• Infant, home-based care: $8,835

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,635

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,791

66. Bertie County

• Average child care tuition: $8,219

• Infant, center-based care: $9,992

• Infant, home-based care: $8,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,425

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,258

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,230

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

67. Gaston County

• Average child care tuition: $8,214

• Infant, center-based care: $8,996

• Infant, home-based care: $8,823

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,120

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,528

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,581

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,235

68. Martin County

• Average child care tuition: $8,151

• Infant, center-based care: $11,053

• Infant, home-based care: $8,679

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,034

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,990

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,829

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,323

69. Cherokee County

• Average child care tuition: $8,134

• Infant, center-based care: $12,713

• Infant, home-based care: $8,189

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,349

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,960

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,632

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,960

70. Clay County

• Average child care tuition: $8,134

• Infant, center-based care: $12,713

• Infant, home-based care: $8,189

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,349

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,960

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,632

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,960

71. Gates County

• Average child care tuition: $8,134

• Infant, center-based care: $12,713

• Infant, home-based care: $8,189

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,349

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,960

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,632

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,960

72. Scotland County

• Average child care tuition: $8,127

• Infant, center-based care: $8,660

• Infant, home-based care: $9,444

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,288

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,926

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,121

73. Halifax County

• Average child care tuition: $8,126

• Infant, center-based care: $10,607

• Infant, home-based care: $8,679

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,874

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,674

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,729

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,194

74. Cleveland County

• Average child care tuition: $8,114

• Infant, center-based care: $9,659

• Infant, home-based care: $7,812

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,281

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,321

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,951

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

75. Richmond County

• Average child care tuition: $8,097

• Infant, center-based care: $8,327

• Infant, home-based care: $11,110

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,655

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,914

76. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $8,031

• Infant, center-based care: $9,379

• Infant, home-based care: $8,332

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,874

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,989

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,621

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,989

77. Hoke County

• Average child care tuition: $7,953

• Infant, center-based care: $9,098

• Infant, home-based care: $8,503

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,214

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,605

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,605

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,692

78. Sampson County

• Average child care tuition: $7,900

• Infant, center-based care: $8,327

• Infant, home-based care: $8,685

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,620

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,957

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,185

79. Rutherford County

• Average child care tuition: $7,896

• Infant, center-based care: $9,803

• Infant, home-based care: $8,617

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,643

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,571

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,858

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,884

80. Pamlico County

• Average child care tuition: $7,846

• Infant, center-based care: $11,130

• Infant, home-based care: $8,189

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,592

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,960

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,245

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,960

81. Robeson County

• Average child care tuition: $7,839

• Infant, center-based care: $8,993

• Infant, home-based care: $10,416

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,884

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,758

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,324

82. Surry County

• Average child care tuition: $7,781

• Infant, center-based care: $10,724

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,613

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,089

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

83. Hertford County

• Average child care tuition: $7,677

• Infant, center-based care: $9,424

• Infant, home-based care: $7,404

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,083

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,653

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,028

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,467

84. Montgomery County

• Average child care tuition: $7,627

• Infant, center-based care: $10,991

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,657

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,591

85. Duplin County

• Average child care tuition: $7,534

• Infant, center-based care: $7,994

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,468

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,686

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,160

86. Jones County

• Average child care tuition: $7,534

• Infant, center-based care: $7,994

• Infant, home-based care: $6,944

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,951

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,468

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,686

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,160

87. Swain County

• Average child care tuition: $7,499

• Infant, center-based care: $9,341

• Infant, home-based care: $7,130

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,642

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,653

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,572

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,653

88. Lee County

• Average child care tuition: $7,454

• Infant, center-based care: $8,835

• Infant, home-based care: $8,299

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,206

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,158

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,473

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,751

89. Chowan County

• Average child care tuition: $7,447

• Infant, center-based care: $7,994

• Infant, home-based care: $7,691

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,620

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,375

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,375

90. Warren County

• Average child care tuition: $7,387

• Infant, center-based care: $8,327

• Infant, home-based care: $8,381

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,620

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,324

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,054

91. Rockingham County

• Average child care tuition: $7,318

• Infant, center-based care: $8,327

• Infant, home-based care: $7,985

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,620

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,990

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,632

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,358

92. Alexander County

• Average child care tuition: $7,214

• Infant, center-based care: $9,670

• Infant, home-based care: $6,571

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,996

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,914

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,184

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,950

93. Alleghany County

• Average child care tuition: $7,118

• Infant, center-based care: $6,660

• Infant, home-based care: $9,118

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,626

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,021

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

94. Bladen County

• Average child care tuition: $7,118

• Infant, center-based care: $6,660

• Infant, home-based care: $9,118

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,626

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,021

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

95. Tyrrell County

• Average child care tuition: $7,118

• Infant, center-based care: $6,660

• Infant, home-based care: $9,118

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,626

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,021

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,626

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,657

96. Greene County

• Average child care tuition: $7,051

• Infant, center-based care: $7,844

• Infant, home-based care: $7,086

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,997

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,692

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,997

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,692

97. Columbus County

• Average child care tuition: $6,982

• Infant, center-based care: $8,471

• Infant, home-based care: $6,841

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,214

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,779

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,057

• Preschool, home-based care: $5,532

98. Yadkin County

• Average child care tuition: $6,854

• Infant, center-based care: $8,335

• Infant, home-based care: $7,301

• Toddler, center-based care: $6,591

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,735

• Preschool, center-based care: $5,550

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,612

99. Mitchell County

• Average child care tuition: $6,569

• Infant, center-based care: $9,080

• Infant, home-based care: $5,740

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,374

• Toddler, home-based care: $5,054

• Preschool, center-based care: $6,205

• Preschool, home-based care: $4,959

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). Data for Graham County was not available for this study.