Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Mesa County, CO
In Mesa County, CO, center-based childcare costs $223/wk for infants, $202/wk for toddlers, $181/wk for preschoolers, and $135/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 19% ($41/wk, $2,153/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($223/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($135/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Mesa 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 $223/wk ($11,575/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $181/wk ($9,422/yr). That's a 19% drop — about $41/wk, or $2,153 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Mesa County is Infant (0-1) at $223/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $135/wk — a spread of $88/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 $135/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $223 | $11,575 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $202 | $10,512 | -$20 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $181 | $9,422 | -$41 |
| School-Age (6+) | $135 | $7,013 | -$88 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,077 |
| Burden Index | 17.0% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Mesa County compare?
At $223/wk for infant center care, Mesa County runs 28% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 17.0% of median household income — a high burden, more than double the 7% HHS affordability threshold.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Mesa County runs $174/wk for infants — about 22% less than center-based care, or $2,514 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $135/wk (center) or $149/wk (family).
More about Mesa 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.