Childcare Cost in Santa Barbara County, CA
Infant center-based childcare in Santa Barbara County, CA costs $453 per week ($23,532 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $363 per week ($18,877 per year). With a median household income of $92,332, the childcare burden index is 25.5% 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) | $453 | $363 |
| Toddler (1-2) | $309 | $305 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $242 | $286 |
| School-Age (6+) | $115 | $207 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $92,332 |
| Burden Index | 25.5% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Santa Barbara County compare?
At $453/wk for infant center care, Santa Barbara County runs 161% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 25.5% 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 Santa Barbara County runs $363/wk for infants — about 20% less than center-based care, or $4,655 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $115/wk (center) or $207/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.