How much childcare costs in Virginia
Center-based infant care in Virginia costs about $16,585 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,382 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $13,568, 12.7% 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 Virginia'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) | $13,568 | $16,585 | $10,074 | $12,314 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $10,865 | $13,281 | $8,766 | $10,715 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $10,929 | $13,359 | $8,648 | $10,571 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,074 a year for an infant in Virginia (2022 data): $3,494, or 26% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Virginia
Arlington County has the highest center-based infant price in Virginia, $29,086 a year in 2022 data, and Buchanan County, Carroll County and 9 other counties the lowest, $6,167: a gap of $22,919 a year (372% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: extrapolated from the state's 2018 survey using price changes in similar counties.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | $29,086 | $25,808 | $25,808 | $19,996 | $188,191 | 15.5% |
| Alexandria City | $23,540 | $22,063 | $22,063 | $15,581 | $149,526 | 15.7% |
| Falls Church City | $22,311 | $16,238 | $16,238 | $14,926 | $207,090 | 10.8% |
| Manassas Park City | $21,716 | $15,980 | $15,980 | $14,926 | $97,174 | 22.3% |
| Loudoun County | $19,027 | $16,359 | $17,420 | $14,591 | $189,841 | 10.0% |
| 2 countiesFairfax City, Fairfax County | $17,959 | $14,996 | $15,970 | $13,527 | $170,100 to $172,110 | 10.4 to 10.6% |
| Prince William County | $16,199 | $13,036 | $13,881 | $11,673 | $135,196 | 12.0% |
| Richmond City | $16,037 | $10,525 | $9,669 | $9,183 | $79,453 | 20.2% |
| Colonial Heights City | $15,766 | $10,310 | $10,310 | $8,955 | $90,408 | 17.4% |
| Goochland County | $15,268 | $10,586 | $10,586 | $10,407 | $125,391 | 12.2% |
| Chesterfield County | $14,503 | $11,239 | $11,004 | $8,374 | $113,336 | 12.8% |
| Fauquier County | $14,368 | $7,617 | $8,111 | $10,822 | $141,358 | 10.2% |
| Charlottesville City | $14,264 | $11,904 | $11,894 | $8,175 | $105,994 | 13.5% |
| Albemarle County | $13,974 | $11,865 | $11,617 | $7,912 | $126,769 | 11.0% |
| Henrico County | $13,684 | $9,918 | $9,711 | $9,268 | $109,916 | 12.4% |
| Manassas City | $13,410 | $11,664 | $12,421 | $13,527 | $123,147 | 10.9% |
| Portsmouth City | $13,211 | $8,467 | $7,778 | $9,315 | $66,450 | 19.9% |
| Madison County | $13,150 | $10,525 | $9,669 | $10,884 | $92,274 | 14.3% |
| Roanoke County | $13,150 | $9,569 | $8,790 | $9,183 | $100,192 | 13.1% |
| Norfolk City | $12,829 | $9,887 | $9,083 | $10,204 | $76,346 | 16.8% |
| Rappahannock County | $12,686 | $11,060 | $11,060 | $9,844 | $101,797 | 12.5% |
| Hanover County | $12,630 | $10,210 | $9,996 | $8,731 | $124,004 | 10.2% |
| Chesapeake City | $12,314 | $9,553 | $9,353 | $9,211 | $109,923 | 11.2% |
| Virginia Beach City | $12,314 | $10,115 | $9,903 | $8,374 | $103,720 | 11.9% |
| Fredericksburg City | $12,197 | $9,021 | $9,021 | $9,552 | $121,781 | 10.0% |
| Orange County | $12,197 | $8,248 | $8,248 | $8,955 | $100,907 | 12.1% |
| Poquoson City | $12,197 | $8,764 | $8,764 | $10,150 | $121,086 | 10.1% |
| Caroline County | $12,188 | $8,612 | $7,911 | $9,183 | $96,803 | 12.6% |
| Salem City | $12,125 | $8,823 | $8,105 | $8,495 | $87,333 | 13.9% |
| Roanoke City | $12,093 | $8,506 | $7,814 | $8,488 | $66,055 | 18.3% |
| Newport News City | $11,829 | $8,529 | $7,835 | $9,439 | $77,483 | 15.3% |
| James City County | $11,828 | $9,202 | $9,799 | $8,755 | $121,086 | 9.8% |
| Clarke County | $11,604 | $9,073 | $9,073 | $8,781 | $133,352 | 8.7% |
| Stafford County | $11,571 | $10,480 | $11,160 | $10,797 | $141,167 | 8.2% |
| Culpeper County | $11,304 | $8,248 | $8,248 | $9,552 | $103,967 | 10.9% |
| Frederick County | $11,304 | $7,732 | $7,732 | $8,657 | $107,040 | 10.6% |
| Hampton City | $11,238 | $8,529 | $7,835 | $9,124 | $79,580 | 14.1% |
| Winchester City | $11,238 | $8,823 | $8,105 | $9,124 | $81,090 | 13.9% |
| Williamsburg City | $11,089 | $7,151 | $8,262 | $9,142 | $94,184 | 11.8% |
| Spotsylvania County | $11,057 | $9,457 | $10,071 | $9,338 | $114,779 | 9.6% |
| York County | $10,993 | $8,840 | $8,840 | $8,235 | $123,510 | 8.9% |
| Gloucester County | $10,905 | $10,207 | $9,376 | $9,183 | $100,085 | 10.9% |
7 countiesHopewell City, King and Queen County, Lancaster County, Middlesex County, Northumberland County, Surry County, Westmoreland County | $10,905 | $8,293 | $7,618 | $9,183 | $58,850 to $93,558 | 11.7 to 18.5% |
| Staunton City | $10,905 | $9,250 | $8,497 | $9,183 | $81,698 | 13.3% |
| Powhatan County | $10,799 | $8,179 | $8,710 | $9,338 | $121,199 | 8.9% |
| Franklin City | $10,584 | $9,250 | $8,497 | $8,503 | $71,886 | 14.7% |
| Bedford County | $10,189 | $5,980 | $5,980 | $6,540 | $87,064 | 11.7% |
| Essex County | $10,169 | $7,733 | $7,104 | $8,617 | $62,770 | 16.2% |
| Waynesboro City | $10,169 | $8,625 | $7,923 | $8,617 | $69,708 | 14.6% |
| Augusta County | $10,115 | $7,474 | $7,474 | $8,060 | $90,083 | 11.2% |
| 4 countiesDinwiddie County, Prince George County, Richmond County, Sussex County | $10,115 | $6,701 | $6,701 | $8,060 | $77,926 to $92,397 | 10.9 to 13.0% |
| Fluvanna County | $10,115 | $7,217 | $7,217 | $7,762 | $102,060 | 9.9% |
| Rockingham County | $10,115 | $7,217 | $7,217 | $10,150 | $88,389 | 11.4% |
| Charles City County | $10,055 | $7,647 | $7,025 | $8,495 | $88,210 | 11.4% |
| Emporia City | $10,028 | $7,626 | $7,005 | $8,488 | $54,091 | 18.5% |
| 3 countiesHighland County, Louisa County, Page County | $9,943 | $8,930 | $8,204 | $8,503 | $67,931 to $93,231 | 10.7 to 14.6% |
| Accomack County | $9,870 | $6,841 | $6,284 | $6,383 | $69,408 | 14.2% |
| Northampton County | $9,870 | $8,625 | $7,923 | $6,383 | $75,313 | 13.1% |
| Suffolk City | $9,851 | $8,711 | $8,528 | $9,769 | $105,023 | 9.4% |
| Isle of Wight County | $9,817 | $7,217 | $7,217 | $7,463 | $111,147 | 8.8% |
| 2 countiesLexington City, Rockbridge County | $9,817 | $7,217 | $7,217 | $7,463 | $76,835 to $103,359 | 9.5 to 12.8% |
| King George County | $9,771 | $8,179 | $8,710 | $9,338 | $116,795 | 8.4% |
| Harrisonburg City | $9,751 | $7,985 | $7,336 | $10,258 | $70,729 | 13.8% |
| Montgomery County | $9,653 | $8,840 | $8,840 | $6,540 | $96,261 | 10.0% |
| Nelson County | $9,622 | $8,930 | $8,204 | $8,503 | $84,974 | 11.3% |
| Southampton County | $9,571 | $8,364 | $7,684 | $7,655 | $86,596 | 11.1% |
| King William County | $9,514 | $7,343 | $7,337 | $7,806 | $93,490 | 10.2% |
| New Kent County | $9,514 | $7,668 | $8,166 | $7,879 | $122,910 | 7.7% |
| Bath County | $9,234 | $8,308 | $8,308 | $7,666 | $75,346 | 12.3% |
| Mathews County | $9,123 | $7,164 | $7,013 | $7,360 | $92,241 | 9.9% |
| Greensville County | $9,116 | $6,760 | $6,760 | $6,540 | $70,573 | 12.9% |
| Botetourt County | $8,980 | $7,974 | $7,325 | $6,803 | $92,908 | 9.7% |
| 2 countiesFloyd County, Giles County | $8,980 | $7,336 | $6,739 | $6,803 | $71,061 to $76,534 | 11.7 to 12.6% |
| Franklin County | $8,980 | $7,336 | $6,739 | $9,864 | $80,729 | 11.1% |
| Petersburg City | $8,980 | $6,698 | $6,153 | $10,884 | $62,385 | 14.4% |
| Pulaski County | $8,980 | $7,336 | $6,739 | $6,803 | $75,956 | 11.8% |
| Greene County | $8,924 | $7,217 | $7,217 | $7,463 | $91,135 | 9.8% |
| Warren County | $8,924 | $6,701 | $6,701 | $7,463 | $92,513 | 9.6% |
| Buena Vista City | $8,848 | $7,280 | $7,280 | $6,055 | $55,717 | 15.9% |
| Amelia County | $8,339 | $6,379 | $5,860 | $8,503 | $85,575 | 9.7% |
| Mecklenburg County | $8,339 | $6,060 | $5,567 | $8,503 | $69,671 | 12.0% |
| Alleghany County | $8,258 | $6,746 | $6,197 | $6,288 | $68,965 | 12.0% |
| Patrick County | $8,258 | $6,746 | $6,197 | $6,288 | $69,286 | 11.9% |
| Lynchburg City | $8,044 | $5,720 | $5,720 | $6,540 | $71,392 | 11.3% |
| Pittsylvania County | $8,030 | $5,704 | $5,240 | $6,034 | $65,263 | 12.3% |
| Shenandoah County | $8,030 | $6,844 | $6,287 | $7,543 | $76,699 | 10.5% |
| Craig County | $7,990 | $6,527 | $5,996 | $6,015 | $88,125 | 9.1% |
| 2 countiesCharlotte County, Cumberland County | $7,776 | $5,948 | $5,465 | $7,978 | $68,063 to $70,183 | 11.1 to 11.4% |
| Amherst County | $7,734 | $5,155 | $5,155 | $7,463 | $85,267 | 9.1% |
| Prince Edward County | $7,734 | $5,671 | $5,671 | $7,463 | $77,032 | 10.0% |
| Brunswick County | $7,668 | $5,866 | $5,389 | $7,860 | $59,133 | 13.0% |
| Covington City | $7,508 | $5,980 | $5,980 | $4,844 | $57,125 | 13.1% |
| Radford City | $7,508 | $5,980 | $5,980 | $4,844 | $88,125 | 8.5% |
| Appomattox County | $7,456 | $5,989 | $5,502 | $7,543 | $77,972 | 9.6% |
| Bland County | $7,377 | $6,379 | $5,860 | $6,803 | $67,350 | 11.0% |
| Campbell County | $7,239 | $5,720 | $5,720 | $6,540 | $74,391 | 9.7% |
| Danville City | $7,239 | $6,240 | $6,240 | $4,844 | $54,521 | 13.3% |
| 4 countiesBuckingham County, Halifax County, Lunenburg County, Nottoway County | $6,971 | $5,200 | $5,200 | $6,055 | $67,191 to $81,284 | 8.6 to 10.4% |
| Wythe County | $6,879 | $5,948 | $5,465 | $6,383 | $72,828 | 9.4% |
| Washington County | $6,842 | $5,671 | $5,671 | $5,970 | $76,444 | 9.0% |
| Smyth County | $6,783 | $5,866 | $5,389 | $6,288 | $61,401 | 11.0% |
| Bristol City | $6,703 | $5,460 | $5,460 | $4,844 | $71,500 | 9.4% |
| 2 countiesHenry County, Martinsville City | $6,703 | $4,940 | $4,940 | $4,844 | $52,325 to $60,737 | 11.0 to 12.8% |
| Buchanan County | $6,167 | $5,200 | $5,200 | $4,844 | $46,783 | 13.2% |
| 6 countiesCarroll County, Dickenson County, Grayson County, Lee County, Russell County, Scott County | $6,167 | $5,200 | $5,200 | $4,844 | $51,842 to $63,176 | 9.8 to 11.9% |
| Galax City | $6,167 | $5,980 | $5,980 | $4,844 | $63,052 | 9.8% |
| 2 countiesNorton City, Wise County | $6,167 | $6,240 | $6,240 | $4,844 | $57,953 to $59,750 | 10.3 to 10.6% |
| Tazewell County | $6,167 | $4,680 | $4,680 | $4,844 | $59,904 | 10.3% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 133 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: extrapolated from the state's 2018 survey using price changes in similar counties. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Kentucky$844/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Maryland$1,748/mo infant, 2026 est.
- North Carolina$1,160/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Tennessee$999/mo infant, 2026 est.
- West Virginia$891/mo infant, 2026 est.
- District of Columbia$2,595/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Virginia compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Virginia per month?
Center-based infant care in Virginia costs about $1,382 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,131 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,107 and preschool about $1,113 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,026. These are population-weighted averages across Virginia's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Virginia?
Arlington County has the highest center-based infant price in Virginia, $29,086 a year in 2022 data, and Buchanan County, Carroll County and 9 other counties the lowest, $6,167: a gap of $22,919 a year (372% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: extrapolated from the state's 2018 survey using price changes in similar counties.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Virginia?
Center-based infant care takes about 12.7% of the median family income in Virginia ($13,568 against $107,101, 2022 data), 1.8× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 29 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 7.7% in New Kent County to 22.3% in Manassas Park City.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Virginia). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)