Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Cowlitz County, WA
In Cowlitz County, WA, center-based childcare costs $357/wk for infants, $249/wk for toddlers, $249/wk for preschoolers, and $192/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 30% ($108/wk, $5,636/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($357/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($192/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Cowlitz County track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $357/wk ($18,580/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $249/wk ($12,944/yr). That's a 30% drop — about $108/wk, or $5,636 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Cowlitz County is Infant (0-1) at $357/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $192/wk — a spread of $166/wk between the most and least expensive bands. Cost declines steadily from infant to toddler to preschool, the typical national shape. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $192/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $357 | $18,580 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $249 | $12,944 | -$108 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $249 | $12,944 | -$108 |
| School-Age (6+) | $192 | $9,964 | -$166 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,912 |
| Burden Index | 26.2% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Cowlitz County compare?
At $357/wk for infant center care, Cowlitz County runs 106% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 26.2% 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 Cowlitz County runs $246/wk for infants — about 31% less than center-based care, or $5,780 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $192/wk (center) or $190/wk (family).
More about Cowlitz County
The data source behind this answer is the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Every figure on the page traces back to that source; the methodology page describes the inputs and the refresh cadence in full detail.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.