Pennsylvania childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 67 Pennsylvania counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Pennsylvania centers runs about $185 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 | $185 | $802 | $148 |
| Toddler | $178 | $771 | $130 |
| Preschool | $165 | $715 | $130 |
| School-age | $153 | $663 | $125 |
Medians across Pennsylvania 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 | $213/wk | $175/wk | $123/wk |
| Allegheny County | $218/wk | $193/wk | $165/wk |
| Armstrong County | $175/wk | $165/wk | $175/wk |
| Beaver County | $185/wk | $175/wk | $200/wk |
| Bedford County | $141/wk | $131/wk | $125/wk |
| Berks County | $215/wk | $180/wk | $180/wk |
| Blair County | $155/wk | $161/wk | $123/wk |
| Bradford County | $186/wk | $158/wk | $153/wk |
| Bucks County | $276/wk | $226/wk | $165/wk |
| Butler County | $214/wk | $189/wk | $155/wk |
| Cambria County | $131/wk | $125/wk | $125/wk |
| Cameron County | $161/wk | $130/wk | $125/wk |
| Carbon County | $143/wk | $133/wk | $125/wk |
| Centre County | $240/wk | $225/wk | $120/wk |
| Chester County | $304/wk | $237/wk | $210/wk |
| Clarion County | $155/wk | $141/wk | $143/wk |
| Clearfield County | $155/wk | $141/wk | $121/wk |
| Clinton County | $162/wk | $125/wk | $123/wk |
| Columbia County | $154/wk | $140/wk | $123/wk |
| Crawford County | $185/wk | $153/wk | $173/wk |
| Cumberland County | $241/wk | $201/wk | $160/wk |
| Dauphin County | $228/wk | $165/wk | $165/wk |
| Delaware County | $231/wk | $205/wk | $190/wk |
| Elk County | $161/wk | $130/wk | $123/wk |
| Erie County | $200/wk | $165/wk | $155/wk |
| Fayette County | $175/wk | $165/wk | $170/wk |
| Forest County | $155/wk | $141/wk | $140/wk |
| Franklin County | $165/wk | $150/wk | $135/wk |
| Fulton County | $141/wk | $131/wk | $125/wk |
| Greene County | $180/wk | $170/wk | $193/wk |
| Huntingdon County | $141/wk | $131/wk | $119/wk |
| Indiana County | $204/wk | $179/wk | $145/wk |
| Jefferson County | $155/wk | $141/wk | $140/wk |
| Juniata County | $220/wk | $171/wk | $126/wk |
| Lackawanna County | $214/wk | $168/wk | $180/wk |
| Lancaster County | $270/wk | $196/wk | $150/wk |
| Lawrence County | $200/wk | $180/wk | $180/wk |
| Lebanon County | $187/wk | $182/wk | $170/wk |
| Lehigh County | $190/wk | $170/wk | $170/wk |
| Luzerne County | $195/wk | $155/wk | $148/wk |
| Lycoming County | $162/wk | $115/wk | $125/wk |
| McKean County | $161/wk | $130/wk | $123/wk |
| Mercer County | $250/wk | $176/wk | $193/wk |
| Mifflin County | $194/wk | $165/wk | $126/wk |
| Monroe County | $180/wk | $150/wk | $175/wk |
| Montgomery County | $299/wk | $245/wk | $210/wk |
| Montour County | $154/wk | $154/wk | $105/wk |
| Northampton County | $204/wk | $172/wk | $155/wk |
| Northumberland County | $144/wk | $135/wk | $138/wk |
| Perry County | $223/wk | $185/wk | $125/wk |
| Philadelphia County | $235/wk | $195/wk | $190/wk |
| Pike County | $184/wk | $160/wk | $175/wk |
| Potter County | $162/wk | $125/wk | $128/wk |
| Schuylkill County | $143/wk | $135/wk | $138/wk |
| Snyder County | $154/wk | $154/wk | $123/wk |
| Somerset County | $124/wk | $110/wk | $115/wk |
| Sullivan County | $216/wk | $180/wk | $155/wk |
| Susquehanna County | $205/wk | $185/wk | $153/wk |
| Tioga County | $163/wk | $135/wk | $125/wk |
| Union County | $154/wk | $154/wk | $123/wk |
| Venango County | $185/wk | $165/wk | $158/wk |
| Warren County | $161/wk | $130/wk | $123/wk |
| Washington County | $220/wk | $200/wk | $205/wk |
| Wayne County | $205/wk | $149/wk | $175/wk |
| Westmoreland County | $205/wk | $180/wk | $170/wk |
| Wyoming County | $193/wk | $165/wk | $153/wk |
| York County | $201/wk | $179/wk | $138/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: Pennsylvania requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Pennsylvania childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Pennsylvania?
The median price for full-time infant care at Pennsylvania centers is about $185 per week, roughly $802 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $165 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Pennsylvania county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Chester County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $304 per week, while Somerset County has the lowest at about $124 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 Pennsylvania, the median for infant care is about $148 per week home-based versus $185 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.