How much childcare costs in Vermont
Center-based infant care in Vermont costs about $21,047 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,754 a month. In 2021 federal data it was $16,564, 18.3% of the median family income and 2.6× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Vermont's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2021 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2021 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $16,564 | $21,047 | $10,419 | $13,239 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $15,895 | $20,197 | $10,253 | $13,028 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $16,213 | $20,601 | $10,343 | $13,142 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,419 a year for an infant in Vermont (2021 data): $6,145, or 37% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Vermont
Chittenden County has the highest center-based infant price in Vermont, $18,828 a year in 2021 data, and Caledonia County the lowest, $13,414: a gap of $5,414 a year (40% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chittenden County | $18,828 | $18,147 | $18,615 | $10,618 | $107,963 | 17.4% |
| Addison County | $18,314 | $17,741 | $15,893 | $10,740 | $96,402 | 19.0% |
| Grand Isle County | $17,968 | $17,194 | $17,390 | $12,018 | $103,692 | 17.3% |
| Rutland County | $16,994 | $16,430 | $14,887 | $9,996 | $79,130 | 21.5% |
| Orange County | $16,590 | $15,657 | $16,697 | $10,796 | $80,273 | 20.7% |
| Lamoille County | $16,313 | $15,228 | $15,228 | $11,214 | $79,691 | 20.5% |
| Windsor County | $16,282 | $15,362 | $17,026 | $10,502 | $87,038 | 18.7% |
| Essex County | $15,891 | $15,207 | $15,381 | $10,074 | $57,202 | 27.8% |
| Windham County | $15,620 | $15,225 | $14,185 | $8,679 | $78,672 | 19.9% |
| Washington County | $15,387 | $14,576 | $15,876 | $10,946 | $89,032 | 17.3% |
| Bennington County | $14,865 | $14,384 | $15,528 | $9,652 | $86,314 | 17.2% |
| Franklin County | $14,619 | $14,067 | $14,067 | $11,508 | $85,463 | 17.1% |
| Orleans County | $13,419 | $12,912 | $16,106 | $9,403 | $74,384 | 18.0% |
| Caledonia County | $13,414 | $12,908 | $12,908 | $9,916 | $71,691 | 18.7% |
Annual median prices in 2021 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 14 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
- Massachusetts$2,331/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New Hampshire$1,562/mo infant, 2026 est.
- New York$1,565/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Vermont compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Vermont per month?
Center-based infant care in Vermont costs about $1,754 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,380 a month in 2021 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,683 and preschool about $1,717 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,103. These are population-weighted averages across Vermont's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Vermont?
Chittenden County has the highest center-based infant price in Vermont, $18,828 a year in 2021 data, and Caledonia County the lowest, $13,414: a gap of $5,414 a year (40% 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 Vermont?
Center-based infant care takes about 18.3% of the median family income in Vermont ($16,564 against $90,556, 2021 data), 2.6× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 3 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 17.1% in Franklin County to 27.8% in Essex County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2021 data for Vermont). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)