Daycare Cost in Arlington County, VA
Childcare pricing data for Arlington County, Virginia (2022). Population: 235,845.
Compared to Virginia Average
Center-based infant care in Arlington County costs $29,086/year, which is $18,640 more (178% above average) compared to the Virginia average of $10,446/year.
All Childcare Prices
| Care Type | Weekly | Annual (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Center-Based Infant | $559/week | $29,086 |
| Center-Based Toddler | $496/week | $25,808 |
| Center-Based Preschool | $496/week | $25,808 |
| Family Infant | $385/week | $19,996 |
| Family Toddler | $342/week | $17,770 |
| Family Preschool | $342/week | $17,770 |
Affordability Context
The median household income in Arlington County is $137,387. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of household income. At 21%, center-based infant care in Arlington County exceeds this threshold.
Childcare in Arlington County, VA
Arlington County, immediately across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., has a population of 240,000 in just 26 square miles, making it one of the smallest but most affluent counties in the nation. Home to the Pentagon, Amazon's HQ2 (in the National Landing area), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and numerous defense contractors and consulting firms, Arlington has an extremely high concentration of professional dual-income households. Infant care averages an extraordinary $29,086 per year — the highest in Virginia and among the highest in the country — driven by the intersection of federal salaries, tech compensation, and extremely limited space for childcare facilities. The county's small size and dense development mean childcare centers compete with other commercial uses for expensive real estate.
Finding Care
Arlington's childcare market is dense relative to its geography but fiercely competitive — waitlists of 12–18 months for infant care at popular centers in Rosslyn, Clarendon, and Ballston are common, and many parents sign up before their child is born. The Columbia Pike corridor and south Arlington have somewhat more affordable options, including family childcare homes serving the area's immigrant communities. Amazon's HQ2 arrival has added thousands of additional families competing for slots, and the county's childcare supply has not kept pace with this corporate influx.
Local Resources
Arlington County's Department of Human Services operates the Child Care Office, providing CCR&R referrals, administering the county's childcare fee assistance program (more generous than Virginia's state program), and supporting provider quality. Arlington Head Start and Early Head Start are operated by Arlington Public Schools and community partners, with sites in South Arlington's Nauck, Green Valley, and Columbia Pike neighborhoods. The county also offers the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) at multiple elementary schools, providing free pre-K for qualifying families.
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Other Counties in Virginia
Counties with similar daycare costs to Arlington County.
| County | Center Infant (yr) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria City | $23,540 | $5,546 less |
| Falls Church City | $22,311 | $6,775 less |
| Manassas Park City | $21,716 | $7,370 less |
| Loudoun County | $19,027 | $10,059 less |
| Fairfax County | $17,959 | $11,127 less |