Ohio childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 88 Ohio counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Ohio centers runs about $222 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 | $222 | $962 | $170 |
| Toddler | $200 | $867 | $165 |
| Preschool | $175 | $758 | $155 |
| School-age | $126 | $546 | $139 |
Medians across Ohio counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Allen County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Ashland County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Ashtabula County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Athens County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Auglaize County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Belmont County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Brown County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Butler County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Carroll County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Champaign County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Clark County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Clermont County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Clinton County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Columbiana County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Coshocton County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Crawford County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Cuyahoga County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Darke County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Defiance County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Delaware County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Erie County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Fairfield County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Fayette County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Franklin County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Fulton County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Gallia County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Geauga County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Greene County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Guernsey County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Hamilton County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Hancock County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Hardin County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Harrison County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Henry County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Highland County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Hocking County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Holmes County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Huron County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Jackson County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Jefferson County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Knox County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Lake County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Lawrence County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Licking County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Logan County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Lorain County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Lucas County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Madison County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Mahoning County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Marion County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Medina County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Meigs County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Mercer County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Miami County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Monroe County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Montgomery County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Morgan County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Morrow County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Muskingum County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Noble County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Ottawa County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Paulding County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Perry County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Pickaway County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Pike County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Portage County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Preble County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Putnam County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Richland County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Ross County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Sandusky County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Scioto County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Seneca County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Shelby County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Stark County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Summit County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Trumbull County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Tuscarawas County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Union County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Van Wert County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Vinton County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Warren County | $295/wk | $232/wk | $200/wk |
| Washington County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Wayne County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Williams County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/wk |
| Wood County | $222/wk | $175/wk | $170/wk |
| Wyandot County | $174/wk | $142/wk | $155/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: Ohio requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Ohio childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Ohio?
The median price for full-time infant care at Ohio centers is about $222 per week, roughly $962 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $175 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Ohio county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Athens County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $295 per week, while Adams County has the lowest at about $174 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 Ohio, the median for infant care is about $170 per week home-based versus $222 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.