How much childcare costs in Utah
Center-based infant care in Utah costs about $14,390 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,199 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $11,772, 11.5% of the median family income and 1.6× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Utah'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) | $11,772 | $14,390 | $8,750 | $10,696 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $9,569 | $11,697 | $8,101 | $9,902 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $8,743 | $10,687 | $7,684 | $9,393 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $8,750 a year for an infant in Utah (2022 data): $3,022, or 26% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Utah
Beaver County, Daggett County and 12 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Utah, $11,895 a year in 2022 data, and Box Elder County, Cache County and 13 other counties the lowest, $11,766: a gap of $129 a year (1% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 countiesBeaver County, Daggett County, Duchesne County, Emery County, Garfield County, Grand County, Kane County, Millard County, Piute County, Rich County, San Juan County, Sanpete County, Sevier County, Wayne County | $11,895 | $9,735 | $8,820 | $8,850 | $44,125 to $97,132 | 12.2 to 27.0% |
15 countiesBox Elder County, Cache County, Carbon County, Davis County, Iron County, Juab County, Morgan County, Salt Lake County, Summit County, Tooele County, Uintah County, Utah County, Wasatch County, Washington County, Weber County | $11,766 | $9,561 | $8,739 | $8,745 | $71,143 to $144,118 | 8.2 to 16.5% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 29 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
- Arizona$1,339/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Colorado$1,912/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Idaho$876/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Nevada$1,386/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Wyoming$907/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Utah compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Utah per month?
Center-based infant care in Utah costs about $1,199 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($981 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $975 and preschool about $891 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $891. These are population-weighted averages across Utah's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Utah?
Beaver County, Daggett County and 12 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Utah, $11,895 a year in 2022 data, and Box Elder County, Cache County and 13 other counties the lowest, $11,766: a gap of $129 a year (1% 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 Utah?
Center-based infant care takes about 11.5% of the median family income in Utah ($11,772 against $102,177, 2022 data), 1.6× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 35 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 8.2% in Summit County to 27.0% in Piute County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Utah). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)