Alaska childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 19 Alaska counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Alaska centers runs about $281 per week at the median, above the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $281 | $1,218 | $244 |
| Toddler | $243 | $1,053 | $235 |
| Preschool | $231 | $1,001 | $220 |
| School-age | $150 | $650 | $181 |
Medians across Alaska counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage Municipality | $362/wk | $290/wk | $260/wk |
| Bethel Census Area | – | $185/wk | – |
| Copper River Census Area | – | – | $263/wk |
| Denali Borough | $336/wk | $296/wk | – |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | $395/wk | $265/wk | $316/wk |
| Haines Borough | – | $88/wk | $255/wk |
| Juneau City and Borough | $227/wk | $252/wk | $132/wk |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | $155/wk | $194/wk | $251/wk |
| Ketchikan Gateway Borough | $312/wk | $248/wk | $141/wk |
| Kodiak Island Borough | $281/wk | $234/wk | $272/wk |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | $249/wk | $231/wk | $216/wk |
| Northwest Arctic Borough | – | $150/wk | – |
| Petersburg Borough | $280/wk | $230/wk | – |
| Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | $300/wk | $250/wk | – |
| Sitka City and Borough | $469/wk | $360/wk | – |
| Skagway Municipality | $205/wk | $200/wk | – |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | $172/wk | $147/wk | $168/wk |
| Valdez-Cordova Census Area | – | – | $237/wk |
| Yakutat City and Borough | $183/wk | $150/wk | $172/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: Alaska requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Alaska childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Alaska?
The median price for full-time infant care at Alaska centers is about $281 per week, roughly $1,218 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $231 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Alaska county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Sitka City and Borough has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $469 per week, while Kenai Peninsula Borough has the lowest at about $155 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 Alaska, the median for infant care is about $244 per week home-based versus $281 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.