Child Care Costs in Virginia 2026: Northern Virginia, Richmond & Statewide Prices

Virginia's childcare costs vary dramatically across the Commonwealth. Northern Virginia, part of the DC metro area, has some of the highest childcare costs in the nation, while Richmond, Hampton Roads, and rural areas offer more moderate pricing. The state is expanding pre-K access through the Virginia Preschool Initiative, though it's not yet universal.

This guide breaks down what families actually pay across Virginia, from the expensive DC suburbs to more affordable regions.

Average Child Care Costs in Virginia

Quick Overview

| Care Type | Northern VA | Richmond | Hampton Roads | Rural VA | |-----------|-------------|----------|---------------|----------| | Infant Daycare | $1,800-$2,600 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,000-$1,450 | $750-$1,100 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,500-$2,200 | $1,000-$1,450 | $850-$1,250 | $650-$950 | | Preschool | $1,300-$1,900 | $900-$1,300 | $800-$1,150 | $600-$900 | | Nanny | $3,600-$5,500 | $2,800-$3,800 | $2,400-$3,400 | $2,200-$3,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,300-$1,800 | $900-$1,300 | $750-$1,100 | $550-$850 |

Virginia families spend an average of 13-18% of household income on childcare, with Northern Virginia families often exceeding 20%.

Cost Comparison to National Average

| Care Type | Virginia Average | National Average | Difference | |-----------|------------------|------------------|------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,500/month | $1,350/month | 11% above | | Toddler Daycare | $1,300/month | $1,200/month | 8% above | | Preschool | $1,150/month | $1,100/month | 5% above |

These averages blend expensive NoVA with more affordable regions. Northern Virginia alone exceeds national averages by 40-70%.

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Northern Virginia Costs

Arlington County

Arlington is among the most expensive childcare markets in the nation.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $2,100-$2,900 | $25,200-$34,800 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,800-$2,500 | $21,600-$30,000 | | Preschool | $1,600-$2,200 | $19,200-$26,400 | | Nanny | $4,200-$5,800 | $50,400-$69,600 | | Home Daycare | $1,600-$2,150 | $19,200-$25,800 |

By neighborhood:

• Clarendon, Ballston, Rosslyn: Highest, urban ($2,400-3,200)
• Lyon Village, Cherrydale: High ($2,200-2,900)
• Shirlington, Pentagon City: High ($2,000-2,700)
• Columbia Pike, South Arlington: More moderate ($1,900-2,500)

City of Alexandria

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $2,000-$2,800 | $24,000-$33,600 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,700-$2,400 | $20,400-$28,800 | | Preschool | $1,500-$2,100 | $18,000-$25,200 | | Nanny | $4,000-$5,500 | $48,000-$66,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,500-$2,050 | $18,000-$24,600 |

By neighborhood:

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Old Town | $2,300-$3,000 | $2,000-$2,700 | Historic, walkable | | Del Ray | $2,200-$2,900 | $1,900-$2,600 | Family-friendly, popular | | Rosemont | $2,100-$2,800 | $1,800-$2,500 | Near Metro | | Carlyle | $2,000-$2,700 | $1,700-$2,400 | Urban, newer | | West End | $1,900-$2,600 | $1,650-$2,300 | More moderate | | Landmark | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Most affordable |

Fairfax County

Virginia's largest and most populous county with a wide range of costs.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,800-$2,500 | $21,600-$30,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,550-$2,200 | $18,600-$26,400 | | Preschool | $1,350-$1,900 | $16,200-$22,800 | | Nanny | $3,800-$5,300 | $45,600-$63,600 | | Home Daycare | $1,400-$1,900 | $16,800-$22,800 |

By area:

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | McLean | $2,200-$2,900 | $1,900-$2,550 | Premium, diplomatic families | | Great Falls | $2,200-$2,900 | $1,900-$2,550 | Affluent, limited options | | Vienna | $2,000-$2,700 | $1,750-$2,400 | Town center walkable | | Oakton | $1,950-$2,650 | $1,700-$2,350 | Good schools | | Tysons Corner | $2,000-$2,700 | $1,750-$2,400 | Near Metro, business area | | Reston | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Planned community | | Herndon | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,150 | Near Dulles | | Fairfax City | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,100 | Historic downtown | | Burke | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,500-$2,050 | Suburban | | Springfield | $1,700-$2,300 | $1,500-$2,000 | Near I-95/495 | | Centreville | $1,650-$2,250 | $1,450-$2,000 | Growing | | Lorton | $1,600-$2,200 | $1,400-$1,950 | South County | | Mount Vernon | $1,650-$2,250 | $1,450-$2,000 | Historic area |

Loudoun County

Fast-growing county with high costs, driven by data center employment.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,800-$2,500 | $21,600-$30,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,550-$2,200 | $18,600-$26,400 | | Preschool | $1,400-$1,950 | $16,800-$23,400 | | Nanny | $3,600-$5,000 | $43,200-$60,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,350-$1,850 | $16,200-$22,200 |

By area:

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Leesburg (Historic) | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Town center | | Ashburn | $1,850-$2,500 | $1,600-$2,200 | Near Metro, tech workers | | South Riding | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,150 | Growing suburb | | Brambleton | $1,800-$2,450 | $1,550-$2,150 | Newer development | | Sterling | $1,700-$2,350 | $1,500-$2,050 | More established | | Purcellville | $1,650-$2,300 | $1,450-$2,000 | Western Loudoun |

Prince William County

More affordable Northern Virginia option while remaining commutable to DC.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,500-$2,100 | $18,000-$25,200 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,300-$1,850 | $15,600-$22,200 | | Preschool | $1,150-$1,650 | $13,800-$19,800 | | Nanny | $3,200-$4,400 | $38,400-$52,800 | | Home Daycare | $1,150-$1,600 | $13,800-$19,200 |

By area:

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | Gainesville | $1,600-$2,200 | $1,400-$1,950 | Fastest growing | | Bristow | $1,550-$2,150 | $1,350-$1,900 | Near I-66 | | Manassas | $1,450-$2,050 | $1,250-$1,800 | Historic downtown | | Woodbridge | $1,400-$2,000 | $1,200-$1,750 | Largest area | | Lake Ridge | $1,450-$2,050 | $1,250-$1,800 | Lakefront community | | Dale City | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | Established suburb | | Dumfries | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | Quantico adjacent |

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Richmond Metro Costs

City of Richmond

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,300-$1,800 | $15,600-$21,600 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,100-$1,550 | $13,200-$18,600 | | Preschool | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 | | Nanny | $2,900-$4,000 | $34,800-$48,000 | | Home Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 |

By neighborhood:

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Notes | |------|---------------|-----------------|-------| | The Fan | $1,550-$2,100 | $1,350-$1,850 | Historic, walkable | | Museum District | $1,500-$2,050 | $1,300-$1,800 | Near VCU | | Carytown | $1,500-$2,050 | $1,300-$1,800 | Shopping district | | Near West End | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | Near Short Pump | | Church Hill | $1,350-$1,850 | $1,150-$1,600 | Historic, growing | | Scott's Addition | $1,400-$1,900 | $1,200-$1,700 | Trendy, new | | Southside | $1,100-$1,550 | $950-$1,350 | More affordable | | East End | $1,050-$1,500 | $900-$1,300 | Most affordable |

Richmond Suburbs

| Area | Infant Daycare | Toddler Daycare | Preschool | |------|---------------|-----------------|-----------| | Short Pump | $1,450-$2,000 | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,100-$1,550 | | Glen Allen | $1,400-$1,950 | $1,200-$1,700 | $1,050-$1,500 | | Midlothian | $1,350-$1,900 | $1,150-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,450 | | Chesterfield | $1,250-$1,750 | $1,050-$1,500 | $900-$1,350 | | Mechanicsville | $1,200-$1,650 | $1,000-$1,450 | $900-$1,300 | | Chester | $1,150-$1,600 | $1,000-$1,400 | $850-$1,250 | | Colonial Heights | $1,100-$1,550 | $950-$1,350 | $850-$1,200 | | Powhatan | $1,150-$1,600 | $1,000-$1,400 | $900-$1,300 |

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Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk Area)

Virginia Beach

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,150-$1,600 | $13,800-$19,200 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 | | Preschool | $900-$1,250 | $10,800-$15,000 | | Nanny | $2,600-$3,600 | $31,200-$43,200 | | Home Daycare | $850-$1,200 | $10,200-$14,400 |

By area:

• Great Neck, Oceanfront: Highest ($1,350-1,850)
• Town Center: High ($1,250-1,750)
• Kempsville, Lynnhaven: Moderate ($1,100-1,550)
• Princess Anne, Pungo: More affordable ($950-1,350)

Norfolk

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,050-$1,500 | $12,600-$18,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $950-$1,350 | $11,400-$16,200 | | Preschool | $850-$1,200 | $10,200-$14,400 | | Nanny | $2,500-$3,400 | $30,000-$40,800 |

By area:

• Ghent, Colonial Place: Highest ($1,250-1,700)
• Ocean View: Moderate ($1,050-1,500)
• Downtown, West Norfolk: More affordable ($900-1,300)

Newport News & Hampton

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | | Toddler Daycare | $900-$1,250 | | Preschool | $800-$1,150 |

Note: Military presence (Fort Eustis, Langley AFB) provides on-base childcare options.

Chesapeake

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,100-$1,500 | | Toddler Daycare | $950-$1,350 | | Preschool | $850-$1,200 |

By area: Great Bridge and Greenbrier highest; Deep Creek and South Chesapeake more affordable.

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Other Virginia Regions

Charlottesville

University town (UVA) with moderate costs but limited availability.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,250-$1,750 | $15,000-$21,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,100-$1,550 | $13,200-$18,600 | | Preschool | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 | | Nanny | $2,900-$4,000 | $34,800-$48,000 |

Note: Childcare shortage in Charlottesville—start searching early.

Fredericksburg

Between DC and Richmond with moderate costs.

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,300-$1,800 | $15,600-$21,600 | | Toddler Daycare | $1,100-$1,550 | $13,200-$18,600 | | Preschool | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 |

Key areas: Spotsylvania and Stafford similar to Fredericksburg; many DC commuters.

Roanoke

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,000-$1,400 | $12,000-$16,800 | | Toddler Daycare | $900-$1,250 | $10,800-$15,000 | | Preschool | $800-$1,150 | $9,600-$13,800 |

Lynchburg

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $900-$1,250 | $10,800-$15,000 | | Toddler Daycare | $800-$1,100 | $9,600-$13,200 | | Preschool | $700-$1,000 | $8,400-$12,000 |

Blacksburg/Virginia Tech Area

| Care Type | Monthly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant Daycare | $950-$1,350 | | Toddler Daycare | $850-$1,200 | | Preschool | $750-$1,100 |

Note: Very limited availability; VT-affiliated options have long waitlists.

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Virginia Child Care Assistance

Child Care Subsidy Program

Virginia's main childcare assistance program.

Who qualifies:

• Families at or below 85% State Median Income
• Working, in school, or in job training
• Priority for lowest incomes and at-risk children

Income limits (2024):

• Family of 3: ~$59,000/year
• Family of 4: ~$71,000/year

What you get:

• Subsidy covers most childcare costs
• Copay based on income
• Can use at licensed centers, family childcare, or approved informal care

How to apply: Through your local Department of Social Services

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

State-funded preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds.

Who qualifies:

• 4-year-olds with risk factors
• Income is one factor (typically below 200% poverty)
• Children with disabilities
• English language learners

Cost: Free for qualifying children.

How to apply: Through your local school division.

Mixed Delivery Pre-K

Virginia is expanding pre-K access through both public schools and community-based providers.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Who qualifies:

• Families at or below federal poverty level
• Foster children
• Homeless families

What's included:

• Free preschool or infant/toddler care
• Health and developmental screenings
• Family support services
• Meals included

Cost: Free

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Northern Virginia Federal & Military Benefits

Federal Employee Benefits

Many NoVA families work for the federal government:

| Benefit | Details | |---------|---------| | Dependent Care FSA | Up to $5,000 pre-tax | | Federal Backup Care | Emergency care subsidies | | On-site centers | Some agencies have on-site childcare | | Flexible schedules | Telework, compressed schedules | | Transit subsidies | Reduces commute costs |

Military Family Benefits

| Installation | Location | Benefits | |--------------|----------|----------| | Fort Belvoir | Fairfax County | On-base CDC, fee assistance | | Marine Corps Base Quantico | Prince William | On-base childcare | | Joint Base Langley-Eustis | Hampton | CDC, family childcare homes | | Naval Station Norfolk | Norfolk | CDC, fee assistance | | Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Story | Virginia Beach | Childcare options |

Fee Assistance: MilitaryChildCare.com for income-based subsidies

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Virginia Quality Rating

Virginia Quality

Virginia's quality rating system for childcare programs.

Rating Levels:

• Level 5: Highest quality
• Level 4: High quality
• Level 3: Quality program
• Level 2: Meets standards
• Level 1: Licensed

Search: virginiaquality.com

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Ways to Save on Childcare in Virginia

1. Dependent Care FSA

Virginia has a flat 5.75% state income tax (on income over ~$17,000).

Savings on $5,000 contributed:

• Federal tax savings: $1,100-1,500
• VA state tax savings: $288
• Total: $1,388-1,788/year

2. Virginia EITC

Virginia offers a state EITC equal to 20% of the federal credit—a significant boost for lower-income families.

3. VPI for Pre-K (4-Year-Olds)

Virginia Preschool Initiative is free for qualifying at-risk 4-year-olds.

4. Military & Federal Benefits

Active duty, reservists, and federal civilian employees often have significant childcare benefits. Check with your HR office.

5. Move to Prince William County

Prince William County offers 20-30% lower costs than inner NoVA (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax) while remaining commutable via I-95, I-66, and VRE.

6. Licensed Family Daycare

Home daycares cost 25-35% less than centers. Virginia has strong family childcare licensing.

7. Church and Faith-Based Programs

Virginia has many faith-based childcare options, often 15-25% below market rates.

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Finding Childcare in Virginia

Where to Search

State resources:

• Virginia Quality (virginiaquality.com)
• Child Care Aware of Virginia (vachildcare.com)
• Virginia Department of Social Services

National resources:

• Care.com
• Winnie.com
• Yelp reviews

Licensing Requirements

Virginia licenses childcare centers and family childcare homes. Look for:

• Current license displayed
• Virginia Quality rating
• Staff-to-child ratios met
• Recent inspection reports

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FAQ

Q: Why is Northern Virginia so expensive for childcare?

A: High cost of living, dual-income federal households, limited space for facilities, strong licensing requirements, and competition for qualified staff all drive costs up.

Q: Is Maryland or Virginia cheaper for DC-area childcare?

A: Similar costs in comparable areas. Montgomery County, MD is similar to Fairfax County, VA. Prince George's County, MD is similar to Prince William County, VA.

Q: Does Virginia have free Pre-K?

A: Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) offers free preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds, with income being one qualifying factor. It's expanding but not yet universal.

Q: What's the cheapest area in Virginia for childcare?

A: Rural southwest Virginia, Southside Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley have the lowest costs—often 40-50% less than Northern Virginia.

Q: How do I find quality childcare in Virginia?

A: Use Virginia Quality to search for quality-rated programs. Look for Level 3-5 programs for best quality indicators.

Q: When should I start looking for childcare in Virginia?

A: For Northern Virginia: during pregnancy (6-12 months ahead for popular areas). For Richmond: 3-6 months ahead. For Hampton Roads and other areas: 2-4 months ahead.

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Conclusion

Virginia childcare costs range from among the highest in the nation in Northern Virginia to moderate in most other regions. Military and federal employment benefits provide significant support for many families, and the Virginia Preschool Initiative offers free preschool for qualifying at-risk 4-year-olds.

Key takeaways:

• Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun) is extremely expensive
• Prince William County offers 20-30% savings with DC commutability
• VPI provides free preschool for qualifying at-risk 4-year-olds
• Military and federal benefits are crucial in NoVA
• Use Virginia Quality ratings to identify quality programs

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More Virginia childcare resources:

• How Much Does Child Care Cost? →
• How to Afford Child Care →
• Childcare Costs in Maryland →
• Best Childcare Options Compared →