Childcare Cost in Kern County, CA
Infant center-based childcare in Kern County, CA costs $353 per week ($18,337 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $238 per week ($12,354 per year). With a median household income of $63,883, the childcare burden index is 28.7% of income. The national median weekly infant center care cost is $174 for comparison.
Cost by Care Type
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Family/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $353 | $238 |
| Toddler (1-2) | $206 | $205 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $171 | $191 |
| School-Age (6+) | $91 | $174 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $63,883 |
| Burden Index | 28.7% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Kern County compare?
At $353/wk for infant center care, Kern County runs 103% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 28.7% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Kern County runs $238/wk for infants — about 33% less than center-based care, or $5,983 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $91/wk (center) or $174/wk (family).
This answer pulls from the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, the authoritative federal source for U.S. childcare prices. The headline number above is the direct answer; what follows is the additional context most readers need to use the answer for a real decision rather than just a fact lookup.
A practical caveat: the headline answer above reflects the most recent the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices vintage; underlying data is often revised for months after first publication, and the right reference for any specific decision is whichever vintage is current at the time of the decision. The as-of date is stamped on every page.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.