North Carolina childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 100 North Carolina counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at North Carolina centers runs about $181 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 | $181 | $784 | $150 |
| Toddler | $142 | $615 | $134 |
| Preschool | $123 | $533 | $125 |
| School-age | $74 | $321 | $86 |
Medians across North Carolina counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | $145/wk | $113/wk | $150/wk |
| Alexander County | $159/wk | $118/wk | $108/wk |
| Alleghany County | $109/wk | $109/wk | $150/wk |
| Anson County | $159/wk | $125/wk | $145/wk |
| Ashe County | $169/wk | $117/wk | $114/wk |
| Avery County | $238/wk | $136/wk | $177/wk |
| Beaufort County | $185/wk | $135/wk | $167/wk |
| Bertie County | $164/wk | $152/wk | $144/wk |
| Bladen County | $109/wk | $109/wk | $150/wk |
| Brunswick County | $184/wk | $146/wk | $135/wk |
| Buncombe County | $191/wk | $175/wk | $177/wk |
| Burke County | $181/wk | $112/wk | $156/wk |
| Cabarrus County | $258/wk | $172/wk | $174/wk |
| Caldwell County | $164/wk | $115/wk | $150/wk |
| Camden County | $181/wk | $84/wk | $166/wk |
| Carteret County | $199/wk | $129/wk | $172/wk |
| Caswell County | $203/wk | $116/wk | – |
| Catawba County | $183/wk | $109/wk | $172/wk |
| Chatham County | $228/wk | $165/wk | $163/wk |
| Cherokee County | $209/wk | $93/wk | $135/wk |
| Chowan County | $131/wk | $109/wk | $126/wk |
| Clay County | $209/wk | $93/wk | $135/wk |
| Cleveland County | $159/wk | $131/wk | $128/wk |
| Columbus County | $139/wk | $116/wk | $112/wk |
| Craven County | $200/wk | $147/wk | $177/wk |
| Cumberland County | $183/wk | $132/wk | $162/wk |
| Currituck County | $172/wk | $129/wk | $168/wk |
| Dare County | $230/wk | $177/wk | $192/wk |
| Davidson County | $181/wk | $129/wk | $183/wk |
| Davie County | $208/wk | $162/wk | $178/wk |
| Duplin County | $131/wk | $126/wk | $114/wk |
| Durham County | $317/wk | $188/wk | $228/wk |
| Edgecombe County | $190/wk | $124/wk | $143/wk |
| Forsyth County | $203/wk | $150/wk | $188/wk |
| Franklin County | $200/wk | $134/wk | $160/wk |
| Gaston County | $148/wk | $108/wk | $145/wk |
| Gates County | $209/wk | $93/wk | $135/wk |
| Graham County | $136/wk | $119/wk | $101/wk |
| Granville County | $200/wk | $116/wk | $149/wk |
| Greene County | $129/wk | $115/wk | $116/wk |
| Guilford County | $227/wk | $132/wk | $172/wk |
| Halifax County | $174/wk | $111/wk | $143/wk |
| Harnett County | $197/wk | $114/wk | $164/wk |
| Haywood County | $203/wk | $109/wk | $179/wk |
| Henderson County | $195/wk | $129/wk | $178/wk |
| Hertford County | $155/wk | $132/wk | $122/wk |
| Hoke County | $150/wk | $125/wk | $140/wk |
| Hyde County | $170/wk | $110/wk | $140/wk |
| Iredell County | $223/wk | $149/wk | $184/wk |
| Jackson County | $181/wk | $84/wk | $166/wk |
| Johnston County | $216/wk | $149/wk | $153/wk |
| Jones County | $131/wk | $126/wk | $114/wk |
| Lee County | $145/wk | $106/wk | $136/wk |
| Lenoir County | $170/wk | $131/wk | $148/wk |
| Lincoln County | $197/wk | $140/wk | $192/wk |
| Macon County | $178/wk | $174/wk | $114/wk |
| Madison County | $149/wk | $109/wk | $150/wk |
| Martin County | $182/wk | $129/wk | $143/wk |
| McDowell County | $164/wk | $134/wk | $150/wk |
| Mecklenburg County | $284/wk | $171/wk | $189/wk |
| Mitchell County | $149/wk | $102/wk | $94/wk |
| Montgomery County | $181/wk | $109/wk | $114/wk |
| Moore County | $189/wk | $129/wk | $184/wk |
| Nash County | $157/wk | $134/wk | $192/wk |
| New Hanover County | $223/wk | $134/wk | $184/wk |
| Northampton County | $195/wk | $123/wk | $176/wk |
| Onslow County | $203/wk | $129/wk | $161/wk |
| Orange County | $355/wk | $199/wk | $271/wk |
| Pamlico County | $183/wk | $86/wk | $135/wk |
| Pasquotank County | $159/wk | $115/wk | $157/wk |
| Pender County | $199/wk | $138/wk | $157/wk |
| Perquimans County | $197/wk | $120/wk | $124/wk |
| Person County | $170/wk | $110/wk | $140/wk |
| Pitt County | $208/wk | $156/wk | $189/wk |
| Polk County | $181/wk | $85/wk | $158/wk |
| Randolph County | $191/wk | $119/wk | $149/wk |
| Richmond County | $137/wk | $109/wk | $183/wk |
| Robeson County | $148/wk | $111/wk | $171/wk |
| Rockingham County | $137/wk | $93/wk | $131/wk |
| Rowan County | $199/wk | $119/wk | $155/wk |
| Rutherford County | $161/wk | $113/wk | $142/wk |
| Sampson County | $137/wk | $109/wk | $143/wk |
| Scotland County | $142/wk | $114/wk | $155/wk |
| Stanly County | $186/wk | $147/wk | $162/wk |
| Stokes County | $170/wk | $125/wk | $143/wk |
| Surry County | $176/wk | $117/wk | $114/wk |
| Swain County | $154/wk | $108/wk | $117/wk |
| Transylvania County | $188/wk | $125/wk | $171/wk |
| Tyrrell County | $109/wk | $109/wk | $150/wk |
| Union County | $248/wk | $116/wk | $201/wk |
| Vance County | $161/wk | $129/wk | $166/wk |
| Wake County | $307/wk | $189/wk | $217/wk |
| Warren County | $137/wk | $125/wk | $138/wk |
| Washington County | $154/wk | $109/wk | $137/wk |
| Watauga County | $180/wk | $162/wk | $158/wk |
| Wayne County | $153/wk | $123/wk | $156/wk |
| Wilkes County | $183/wk | $109/wk | $126/wk |
| Wilson County | $175/wk | $136/wk | $112/wk |
| Yadkin County | $137/wk | $91/wk | $120/wk |
| Yancey County | $195/wk | $123/wk | $176/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: North Carolina requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
North Carolina childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in North Carolina?
The median price for full-time infant care at North Carolina centers is about $181 per week, roughly $784 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $123 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which North Carolina county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Orange County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $355 per week, while Alleghany County has the lowest at about $109 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 North Carolina, the median for infant care is about $150 per week home-based versus $181 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.