How much childcare costs in Nebraska
Center-based infant care in Nebraska costs about $13,951 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,163 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $11,413, 12.3% 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 Nebraska'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) | $11,413 | $13,951 | $6,850 | $8,373 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $10,672 | $13,045 | $6,962 | $8,510 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $9,710 | $11,869 | $7,018 | $8,578 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $6,850 a year for an infant in Nebraska (2022 data): $4,563, or 40% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Nebraska
Dakota County, Douglas County and 2 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Nebraska, $12,675 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Antelope County and 87 other counties the lowest, $9,737: a gap of $2,938 a year (30% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 countiesDakota County, Douglas County, Lancaster County, Sarpy County | $12,675 | $11,759 | $10,660 | $7,800 | $82,607 to $114,500 | 11.1 to 15.3% |
89 countiesAdams County, Antelope County, Arthur County, Banner County, Blaine County, Boone County, Box Butte County, Boyd County, Brown County, Buffalo County, Burt County, Butler County, Cass County, Cedar County, Chase County, Cherry County, Cheyenne County, Clay County, Colfax County, Cuming County, Custer County, Dawes County, Dawson County, Deuel County, Dixon County, Dodge County, Dundy County, Fillmore County, Franklin County, Frontier County, Furnas County, Gage County, Garden County, Garfield County, Gosper County, Grant County, Greeley County, Hall County, Hamilton County, Harlan County, Hayes County, Hitchcock County, Holt County, Hooker County, Howard County, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Kearney County, Keith County, Keya Paha County, Kimball County, Knox County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Loup County, Madison County, McPherson County, Merrick County, Morrill County, Nance County, Nemaha County, Nuckolls County, Otoe County, Pawnee County, Perkins County, Phelps County, Pierce County, Platte County, Polk County, Red Willow County, Richardson County, Rock County, Saline County, Saunders County, Scotts Bluff County, Seward County, Sheridan County, Sherman County, Sioux County, Stanton County, Thayer County, Thomas County, Thurston County, Valley County, Washington County, Wayne County, Webster County, Wheeler County, York County | $9,737 | $9,230 | $8,450 | $5,590 | $56,000 to $115,919 | 8.4 to 17.4% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 93 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Colorado$1,912/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Iowa$880/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Kansas$830/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Missouri$1,270/mo infant, 2026 est.
- South Dakota$791/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Wyoming$907/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Nebraska compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Nebraska per month?
Center-based infant care in Nebraska costs about $1,163 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($951 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,087 and preschool about $989 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $698. These are population-weighted averages across Nebraska's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Nebraska?
Dakota County, Douglas County and 2 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Nebraska, $12,675 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Antelope County and 87 other counties the lowest, $9,737: a gap of $2,938 a year (30% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Nebraska?
Center-based infant care takes about 12.3% of the median family income in Nebraska ($11,413 against $92,676, 2022 data), 1.8× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 32 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 8.4% in Washington County to 17.4% in Blaine County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Nebraska). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)