Alabama childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 67 Alabama counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Alabama centers runs about $135 per week at the median, below the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $135 | $585 | $129 |
| Toddler | $132 | $572 | $129 |
| Preschool | $125 | $542 | $128 |
| School-age | $113 | $490 | $105 |
Medians across Alabama counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autauga County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| Baldwin County | $133/wk | $123/wk | $129/wk |
| Barbour County | $122/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Bibb County | $136/wk | $129/wk | $104/wk |
| Blount County | $146/wk | $138/wk | $146/wk |
| Bullock County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| Butler County | $145/wk | $124/wk | $136/wk |
| Calhoun County | $115/wk | $115/wk | $104/wk |
| Chambers County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $134/wk |
| Cherokee County | $118/wk | $103/wk | $83/wk |
| Chilton County | $145/wk | $124/wk | $136/wk |
| Choctaw County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Clarke County | $132/wk | $122/wk | $129/wk |
| Clay County | $114/wk | $114/wk | $103/wk |
| Cleburne County | $114/wk | $114/wk | $103/wk |
| Coffee County | $122/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Colbert County | $136/wk | $127/wk | $146/wk |
| Conecuh County | $132/wk | $122/wk | $129/wk |
| Coosa County | $114/wk | $114/wk | $103/wk |
| Covington County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| Crenshaw County | $121/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Cullman County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $146/wk |
| Dale County | $122/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Dallas County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| DeKalb County | $118/wk | $103/wk | $83/wk |
| Elmore County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| Escambia County | $133/wk | $123/wk | $129/wk |
| Etowah County | $118/wk | $104/wk | $83/wk |
| Fayette County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Franklin County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $146/wk |
| Geneva County | $121/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Greene County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Hale County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Henry County | $121/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Houston County | $122/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Jackson County | $118/wk | $103/wk | $83/wk |
| Jefferson County | $147/wk | $139/wk | $146/wk |
| Lamar County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Lauderdale County | $136/wk | $127/wk | $146/wk |
| Lawrence County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $146/wk |
| Lee County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $134/wk |
| Limestone County | $136/wk | $127/wk | $146/wk |
| Lowndes County | $145/wk | $124/wk | $136/wk |
| Macon County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $134/wk |
| Madison County | $136/wk | $127/wk | $146/wk |
| Marengo County | $136/wk | $129/wk | $104/wk |
| Marion County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Marshall County | $118/wk | $104/wk | $83/wk |
| Mobile County | $133/wk | $123/wk | $129/wk |
| Monroe County | $132/wk | $122/wk | $129/wk |
| Montgomery County | $146/wk | $125/wk | $136/wk |
| Morgan County | $136/wk | $127/wk | $146/wk |
| Perry County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Pickens County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Pike County | $122/wk | $110/wk | $105/wk |
| Randolph County | $114/wk | $114/wk | $103/wk |
| Russell County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $134/wk |
| Shelby County | $147/wk | $139/wk | $146/wk |
| St. Clair County | $146/wk | $138/wk | $146/wk |
| Sumter County | $136/wk | $128/wk | $103/wk |
| Talladega County | $115/wk | $115/wk | $104/wk |
| Tallapoosa County | $134/wk | $125/wk | $133/wk |
| Tuscaloosa County | $136/wk | $129/wk | $104/wk |
| Walker County | $146/wk | $138/wk | $146/wk |
| Washington County | $132/wk | $122/wk | $129/wk |
| Wilcox County | $145/wk | $124/wk | $136/wk |
| Winston County | $135/wk | $126/wk | $146/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: Alabama requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Alabama childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Alabama?
The median price for full-time infant care at Alabama centers is about $135 per week, roughly $585 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $125 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Alabama county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Jefferson County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $147 per week, while Clay County has the lowest at about $114 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in Alabama, the median for infant care is about $129 per week home-based versus $135 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.