How much childcare costs in Delaware
Center-based infant care in Delaware costs about $15,158 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,263 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $12,401, 12.4% of the median family income and 1.8× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Delaware's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $12,401 | $15,158 | $8,864 | $10,835 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $9,027 | $11,034 | $7,456 | $9,114 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $9,480 | $11,588 | $7,505 | $9,174 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $8,864 a year for an infant in Delaware (2022 data): $3,537, or 29% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Delaware
New Castle County has the highest center-based infant price in Delaware, $14,575 a year in 2022 data, and Kent County and Sussex County the lowest, $9,471: a gap of $5,104 a year (54% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | $14,575 | $10,359 | $10,934 | $9,447 | $107,671 | 13.5% |
| Kent County | $9,471 | $7,230 | $7,519 | $8,094 | $82,307 | 11.5% |
| Sussex County | $9,471 | $7,230 | $7,519 | $8,064 | $91,800 | 10.3% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 3 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Maryland$1,748/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New Jersey$1,627/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Pennsylvania$1,240/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Delaware compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Delaware per month?
Center-based infant care in Delaware costs about $1,263 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,033 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $920 and preschool about $966 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $903. These are population-weighted averages across Delaware's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Delaware?
New Castle County has the highest center-based infant price in Delaware, $14,575 a year in 2022 data, and Kent County and Sussex County the lowest, $9,471: a gap of $5,104 a year (54% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Delaware?
Center-based infant care takes about 12.4% of the median family income in Delaware ($12,401 against $100,128, 2022 data), 1.8× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 31 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 10.3% in Sussex County to 13.5% in New Castle County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Delaware). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)