Daycare Cost in Wake County, NC
Childcare pricing data for Wake County, North Carolina (2022). Population: 1,132,103.
Compared to North Carolina Average
Center-based infant care in Wake County costs $15,979/year, which is $6,492 more (68% above average) compared to the North Carolina average of $9,487/year.
All Childcare Prices
| Care Type | Weekly | Annual (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Center-Based Infant | $307/week | $15,979 |
| Center-Based Toddler | $251/week | $13,061 |
| Center-Based Preschool | $189/week | $9,809 |
| Family Infant | $217/week | $11,260 |
| Family Toddler | $201/week | $10,474 |
| Family Preschool | $202/week | $10,511 |
Affordability Context
The median household income in Wake County is $96,734. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of household income. At 17%, center-based infant care in Wake County exceeds this threshold.
Childcare in Wake County, NC
Wake County, home to Raleigh and the heart of the Research Triangle, has a population of 1.1 million that has grown rapidly thanks to major employers including Cisco, Red Hat/IBM, Epic Games, and a concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical firms around Research Triangle Park. The county's highly educated workforce and relatively affordable cost of living compared to peer tech metros attract young families, driving sustained childcare demand. Infant care averages around $15,979 per year, high for the Southeast but below comparably tech-driven metros. Wake County's public school system is consistently rated among the best in the state, and the emphasis on educational quality extends to the early childhood market.
Finding Care
Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs in the western part of the county have the highest concentration of newer, purpose-built childcare centers, reflecting rapid suburban development. Downtown Raleigh and the North Hills area have strong center-based options for the urban professional workforce. Wake County's northeastern growth areas (Wake Forest, Rolesville) face the most acute supply challenges as residential construction outpaces childcare development. North Carolina's star-rated license system rates providers from one to five stars, and Wake County has a high proportion of four- and five-star programs.
Local Resources
Child Care Services Association (CCSA) based in Chapel Hill serves the broader Triangle region including Wake County, providing CCR&R services, referrals, and the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship program that has become a national model for childcare worker education. Wake County Smart Start, the local partnership funded through the North Carolina Partnership for Children, invests in quality improvement, subsidy supplements, and family support. Wake County Head Start and Early Head Start, operated through Wake County Human Services, maintain sites across the county with a focus on southeast Raleigh and other high-need areas.
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Other Counties in North Carolina
Counties with similar daycare costs to Wake County.
| County | Center Infant (yr) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Durham County | $16,487 | +$508 |
| Mecklenburg County | $14,774 | $1,205 less |
| Orange County | $18,453 | +$2,474 |
| Cabarrus County | $13,392 | $2,587 less |
| Union County | $12,906 | $3,073 less |