Florida childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 67 Florida counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Florida centers runs about $200 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 | $200 | $867 | $161 |
| Toddler | $160 | $693 | $143 |
| Preschool | $150 | $650 | $135 |
| School-age | $113 | $490 | $108 |
Medians across Florida counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | $250/wk | $160/wk | $235/wk |
| Baker County | $140/wk | $115/wk | – |
| Bay County | $215/wk | $165/wk | $162/wk |
| Bradford County | $175/wk | $145/wk | – |
| Brevard County | $200/wk | $155/wk | $200/wk |
| Broward County | $233/wk | $180/wk | $185/wk |
| Calhoun County | $200/wk | $145/wk | – |
| Charlotte County | $199/wk | $172/wk | $230/wk |
| Citrus County | $175/wk | $130/wk | $130/wk |
| Clay County | $200/wk | $155/wk | $175/wk |
| Collier County | $225/wk | $186/wk | $175/wk |
| Columbia County | $156/wk | $118/wk | – |
| DeSoto County | – | $110/wk | – |
| Dixie County | $178/wk | $132/wk | – |
| Duval County | $225/wk | $165/wk | $175/wk |
| Escambia County | $185/wk | $145/wk | $166/wk |
| Flagler County | $220/wk | $170/wk | $165/wk |
| Franklin County | $130/wk | $100/wk | $95/wk |
| Gadsden County | $138/wk | $105/wk | – |
| Gilchrist County | $132/wk | $105/wk | $148/wk |
| Glades County | $135/wk | $135/wk | $148/wk |
| Gulf County | $135/wk | $100/wk | $148/wk |
| Hamilton County | – | – | $180/wk |
| Hardee County | $150/wk | $120/wk | – |
| Hendry County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $160/wk |
| Hernando County | $165/wk | $115/wk | $150/wk |
| Highlands County | $170/wk | $135/wk | – |
| Hillsborough County | $240/wk | $175/wk | $175/wk |
| Holmes County | – | $145/wk | – |
| Indian River County | $185/wk | $150/wk | $150/wk |
| Jackson County | $200/wk | $145/wk | – |
| Jefferson County | $150/wk | $122/wk | – |
| Lafayette County | $154/wk | $118/wk | $135/wk |
| Lake County | $200/wk | $165/wk | $175/wk |
| Lee County | $200/wk | $150/wk | $150/wk |
| Leon County | $180/wk | $150/wk | $150/wk |
| Levy County | $175/wk | $120/wk | – |
| Liberty County | $185/wk | $131/wk | $145/wk |
| Madison County | $140/wk | $120/wk | $125/wk |
| Manatee County | $220/wk | $165/wk | $160/wk |
| Marion County | $185/wk | $142/wk | $180/wk |
| Martin County | $240/wk | $175/wk | – |
| Miami-Dade County | $200/wk | $155/wk | $150/wk |
| Monroe County | $200/wk | $175/wk | $150/wk |
| Nassau County | $190/wk | $160/wk | $160/wk |
| Okaloosa County | $225/wk | $165/wk | $166/wk |
| Okeechobee County | $180/wk | $132/wk | $128/wk |
| Orange County | $225/wk | $160/wk | $185/wk |
| Osceola County | $203/wk | $160/wk | $150/wk |
| Palm Beach County | $305/wk | $220/wk | $200/wk |
| Pasco County | $225/wk | $165/wk | $175/wk |
| Pinellas County | $300/wk | $167/wk | $245/wk |
| Polk County | $230/wk | $140/wk | $200/wk |
| Putnam County | $157/wk | $110/wk | $117/wk |
| Santa Rosa County | $235/wk | $165/wk | $160/wk |
| Sarasota County | $210/wk | $185/wk | $200/wk |
| Seminole County | $249/wk | $190/wk | $175/wk |
| St. Johns County | $280/wk | $235/wk | $150/wk |
| St. Lucie County | $235/wk | $168/wk | $165/wk |
| Sumter County | $225/wk | $175/wk | – |
| Suwannee County | $130/wk | $100/wk | – |
| Taylor County | – | $94/wk | $180/wk |
| Union County | $146/wk | $117/wk | $147/wk |
| Volusia County | $200/wk | $150/wk | $165/wk |
| Wakulla County | $173/wk | $126/wk | – |
| Walton County | $200/wk | $160/wk | $154/wk |
| Washington County | – | – | $125/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: Florida requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Florida childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Florida?
The median price for full-time infant care at Florida centers is about $200 per week, roughly $867 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $150 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Florida county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Palm Beach County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $305 per week, while Franklin County has the lowest at about $130 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 Florida, the median for infant care is about $161 per week home-based versus $200 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.