How much childcare costs in Rhode Island
Center-based infant care in Rhode Island costs about $18,623 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,552 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $15,235, 14.4% of the median family income and 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Rhode Island'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) | $15,235 | $18,623 | $13,418 | $16,402 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $14,691 | $17,958 | $13,137 | $16,058 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $12,901 | $15,770 | $10,986 | $13,429 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $13,418 a year for an infant in Rhode Island (2022 data): $1,817, or 12% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Rhode Island
Newport County has the highest center-based infant price in Rhode Island, $16,168 a year in 2022 data, and Providence County the lowest, $15,059: a gap of $1,109 a year (7% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport County | $16,168 | $15,595 | $13,685 | $14,324 | $130,074 | 12.4% |
| Kent County | $15,432 | $14,880 | $13,068 | $13,592 | $108,061 | 14.3% |
| Bristol County | $15,255 | $14,714 | $12,915 | $13,489 | $135,125 | 11.3% |
| Washington County | $15,251 | $14,710 | $12,910 | $13,499 | $122,848 | 12.4% |
| Providence County | $15,059 | $14,518 | $12,754 | $13,233 | $93,015 | 16.2% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 5 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
See how Rhode Island compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Rhode Island per month?
Center-based infant care in Rhode Island costs about $1,552 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,270 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,496 and preschool about $1,314 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,367. These are population-weighted averages across Rhode Island's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Rhode Island?
Newport County has the highest center-based infant price in Rhode Island, $16,168 a year in 2022 data, and Providence County the lowest, $15,059: a gap of $1,109 a year (7% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; modelled from statewide survey data rather than surveyed county by county.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Rhode Island?
Center-based infant care takes about 14.4% of the median family income in Rhode Island ($15,235 against $105,989, 2022 data), 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 21 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 11.3% in Bristol County to 16.2% in Providence County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Rhode Island). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)