The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines affordable child care as the cost equaling 7% or less of annual household income, however, this benchmark was based on older data and the present-day amount is heavily debated and may be higher. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates childcare costs for one child at $9,911 in Payne County. Based on the current median household income of $45,684 in Payne County, that would mean childcare costs for just one child are approximately 22% of household income . Utilizing data from the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, Figure 13 highlights how childcare prices have changed over the past five years in Payne County. For preschool through school-age care prices, see appendix.
Childcare Price Changes
Payne County
All County Average
Infant, center-based price: 2018 Infant, center-based price: 2023*
$9,827
$7,733
$9,102
$11,567
$1,369
$1,740
Change from 2018-2023
Infant, home-based price: 2018 Infant, home-based price: 2023*
$7,399
$5,822
$6,853
$8,709
$1,031
$1,310
Change from 2018-2023
Toddler, center- based price: 2018 Toddler, center- based price: 2023*
$6,500
$8,261
$7,651
$9,724
$1,151
$1,463
Change from 2018-2023
Toddler, home- based price: 2018 Toddler, home- based price: 2023*
$7,185
$5,654
$6,655
$8,458
$1,001
$1,272
Change from 2018-2023
*price estimated
Fig. 13, Source: Department of Labor Women’s Bureau
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