Daycare Cost in Fairfax County, VA
Childcare pricing data for Fairfax County, Virginia (2022). Population: 1,145,354.
Compared to Virginia Average
Center-based infant care in Fairfax County costs $17,959/year, which is $7,513 more (72% above average) compared to the Virginia average of $10,446/year.
All Childcare Prices
| Care Type | Weekly | Annual (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Center-Based Infant | $345/week | $17,959 |
| Center-Based Toddler | $288/week | $14,996 |
| Center-Based Preschool | $307/week | $15,970 |
| Family Infant | $260/week | $13,527 |
| Family Toddler | $225/week | $11,702 |
| Family Preschool | $221/week | $11,486 |
Affordability Context
The median household income in Fairfax County is $145,165. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of household income. At 12%, center-based infant care in Fairfax County exceeds this threshold.
Childcare in Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County, the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia with 1.1 million residents, is a premier suburb of Washington, D.C. and home to an extraordinary concentration of federal workers, government contractors, and technology firms including the headquarters of Capital One, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC. The county's highly educated, dual-income workforce drives intense demand for quality childcare, and infant care averages around $17,959 per year. Fairfax County's proximity to the Pentagon, CIA, NSA, and dozens of federal agencies means many families have security clearances and face unpredictable schedules driven by mission requirements. The county is remarkably diverse, with large Korean, Vietnamese, South Asian, and Hispanic communities throughout.
Finding Care
Fairfax County has one of the most developed childcare markets in the D.C. metro area, with a high density of centers in the Tysons Corner, Reston, and Fairfax City corridors. However, infant care remains the bottleneck — waitlists of 3–12 months are standard, and parents often sign up while pregnant. South county areas like Lorton and Springfield have seen growing demand from families priced out of closer-in neighborhoods, and western Fairfax communities like Centreville and Chantilly have active childcare markets serving the Dulles Corridor tech workforce.
Local Resources
Fairfax County's Office for Children operates one of the most comprehensive local childcare support systems in the country, providing CCR&R referrals, administering the county's own childcare subsidy program alongside Virginia's state program, and operating county-run childcare centers. The county's SACC (School-Age Child Care) program is the largest public school-based program in Virginia. Fairfax County Head Start, operated by the county government, serves low-income families at sites throughout the county, and the Fairfax County Public Schools system offers the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) at dozens of elementary schools.
Find Childcare Near You
Looking for daycare, babysitters, or nannies in Fairfax County, Virginia? Search trusted childcare providers in your area.
We may earn a commission when you sign up through these links. Learn more.
Other Counties in Virginia
Counties with similar daycare costs to Fairfax County.
| County | Center Infant (yr) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax City | $17,959 | same |
| Loudoun County | $19,027 | +$1,068 |
| Prince William County | $16,199 | $1,760 less |
| Richmond City | $16,037 | $1,922 less |
| Colonial Heights City | $15,766 | $2,193 less |