Louisiana childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 64 Louisiana counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Louisiana centers runs about $143 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 | $143 | $620 | $133 |
| Toddler | $140 | $607 | $133 |
| Preschool | $137 | $594 | $133 |
| School-age | $126 | $546 | $115 |
Medians across Louisiana counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Allen Parish | $127/wk | $126/wk | $103/wk |
| Ascension Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| Assumption Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| Avoyelles Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $106/wk |
| Beauregard Parish | $127/wk | $126/wk | $103/wk |
| Bienville Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| Bossier Parish | $157/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Caddo Parish | $157/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Calcasieu Parish | $153/wk | $141/wk | $137/wk |
| Caldwell Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Cameron Parish | $153/wk | $141/wk | $137/wk |
| Catahoula Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $106/wk |
| Claiborne Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| Concordia Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $106/wk |
| De Soto Parish | $157/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $143/wk | $137/wk | $133/wk |
| East Carroll Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| East Feliciana Parish | $120/wk | $123/wk | $100/wk |
| Evangeline Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| Franklin Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Grant Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $106/wk |
| Iberia Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Iberville Parish | $143/wk | $137/wk | $133/wk |
| Jackson Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| Jefferson Davis Parish | $153/wk | $141/wk | $137/wk |
| Jefferson Parish | $152/wk | $140/wk | $133/wk |
| Lafayette Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Lafourche Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| LaSalle Parish | $160/wk | $147/wk | $139/wk |
| Lincoln Parish | $157/wk | $144/wk | $137/wk |
| Livingston Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Madison Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Morehouse Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Natchitoches Parish | $157/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Orleans Parish | $152/wk | $140/wk | $133/wk |
| Ouachita Parish | $157/wk | $144/wk | $137/wk |
| Plaquemines Parish | $152/wk | $140/wk | $133/wk |
| Pointe Coupee Parish | $120/wk | $123/wk | $100/wk |
| Rapides Parish | $157/wk | $147/wk | $139/wk |
| Red River Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| Richland Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Sabine Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| St. Bernard Parish | $152/wk | $140/wk | $133/wk |
| St. Charles Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| St. Helena Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| St. James Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| St. Landry Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| St. Martin Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| St. Mary Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| St. Tammany Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Tangipahoa Parish | $158/wk | $147/wk | $140/wk |
| Tensas Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Terrebonne Parish | $150/wk | $140/wk | $142/wk |
| Union Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| Vermilion Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| Vernon Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $106/wk |
| Washington Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $107/wk |
| Webster Parish | $132/wk | $132/wk | $104/wk |
| West Baton Rouge Parish | $143/wk | $137/wk | $133/wk |
| West Carroll Parish | $130/wk | $129/wk | $103/wk |
| West Feliciana Parish | $143/wk | $137/wk | $133/wk |
| Winn Parish | $133/wk | $132/wk | $106/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: Louisiana requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Louisiana childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Louisiana?
The median price for full-time infant care at Louisiana centers is about $143 per week, roughly $620 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $137 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Louisiana county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, LaSalle Parish has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $160 per week, while East Feliciana Parish has the lowest at about $120 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 Louisiana, the median for infant care is about $133 per week home-based versus $143 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.