West Virginia childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 55 West Virginia counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at West Virginia centers runs about $173 per week at the median, right at the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $173 | $750 | $156 |
| Toddler | $165 | $715 | $134 |
| Preschool | $166 | $719 | $134 |
| School-age | $150 | $650 | $134 |
Medians across West Virginia counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbour County | $179/wk | $169/wk | $156/wk |
| Berkeley County | $177/wk | $176/wk | $164/wk |
| Boone County | $185/wk | $175/wk | $161/wk |
| Braxton County | $182/wk | $172/wk | $159/wk |
| Brooke County | $156/wk | $153/wk | $143/wk |
| Cabell County | $155/wk | $155/wk | $144/wk |
| Calhoun County | $166/wk | $162/wk | $146/wk |
| Clay County | $144/wk | $132/wk | $124/wk |
| Doddridge County | $164/wk | $160/wk | $144/wk |
| Fayette County | $170/wk | $166/wk | $156/wk |
| Gilmer County | $177/wk | $134/wk | $129/wk |
| Grant County | $176/wk | $166/wk | $153/wk |
| Greenbrier County | $166/wk | $164/wk | $153/wk |
| Hampshire County | $188/wk | $178/wk | $164/wk |
| Hancock County | $168/wk | $165/wk | $155/wk |
| Hardy County | $195/wk | $190/wk | $170/wk |
| Harrison County | $163/wk | $161/wk | $150/wk |
| Jackson County | $182/wk | $178/wk | $159/wk |
| Jefferson County | $165/wk | $167/wk | $155/wk |
| Kanawha County | $158/wk | $157/wk | $146/wk |
| Lewis County | $172/wk | $167/wk | $157/wk |
| Lincoln County | $189/wk | $140/wk | $132/wk |
| Logan County | $189/wk | $179/wk | $165/wk |
| Marion County | $167/wk | $165/wk | $154/wk |
| Marshall County | $163/wk | $160/wk | $150/wk |
| Mason County | $172/wk | $163/wk | $157/wk |
| McDowell County | $150/wk | $137/wk | $128/wk |
| Mercer County | $168/wk | $165/wk | $155/wk |
| Mineral County | $178/wk | $173/wk | $162/wk |
| Mingo County | $167/wk | $163/wk | $146/wk |
| Monongalia County | $153/wk | $154/wk | $143/wk |
| Monroe County | $184/wk | $174/wk | $160/wk |
| Morgan County | $181/wk | $177/wk | $159/wk |
| Nicholas County | $183/wk | $173/wk | $160/wk |
| Ohio County | $147/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Pendleton County | $179/wk | $134/wk | $156/wk |
| Pleasants County | $155/wk | $152/wk | $143/wk |
| Pocahontas County | $178/wk | $173/wk | $156/wk |
| Preston County | $183/wk | $178/wk | $160/wk |
| Putnam County | $163/wk | $163/wk | $152/wk |
| Raleigh County | $170/wk | $167/wk | $156/wk |
| Randolph County | $173/wk | $169/wk | $159/wk |
| Ritchie County | $179/wk | $169/wk | $156/wk |
| Roane County | $179/wk | $131/wk | $123/wk |
| Summers County | $195/wk | $184/wk | $170/wk |
| Taylor County | $173/wk | $169/wk | $158/wk |
| Tucker County | $185/wk | $138/wk | $129/wk |
| Tyler County | $182/wk | $177/wk | $159/wk |
| Upshur County | $173/wk | $169/wk | $159/wk |
| Wayne County | $174/wk | $170/wk | $160/wk |
| Webster County | $171/wk | $161/wk | $149/wk |
| Wetzel County | $176/wk | $172/wk | $161/wk |
| Wirt County | $179/wk | $131/wk | $123/wk |
| Wood County | $162/wk | $161/wk | $150/wk |
| Wyoming County | $185/wk | $175/wk | $162/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: West Virginia requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
West Virginia childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in West Virginia?
The median price for full-time infant care at West Virginia centers is about $173 per week, roughly $750 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $166 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which West Virginia county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Hardy County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $195 per week, while Clay County has the lowest at about $144 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 West Virginia, the median for infant care is about $156 per week home-based versus $173 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.