How much does infant daycare cost in Charleston, SC?

In Charleston County, median infant center care costs roughly $245 per week ($1,060 per month or $12,740 per year), with Mount Pleasant centers regularly charging $1,200 to $1,500 monthly.

Is in-home daycare cheaper in South Carolina?

Yes. Licensed family child care homes average $137.53 per week statewide for infants, saving over $3,100 per year compared to commercial center care.

What is ABC Quality in South Carolina?

ABC Quality is South Carolina's quality rating and improvement system that evaluates childcare centers and homes on health, safety, and learning environments.

Who qualifies for childcare vouchers in South Carolina?

Working parents or parents attending school whose household income falls below 85% of State Median Income qualify for SC Working Families Child Care Scholarships.

COST DATA · BUDGETING

South Carolina Childcare Costs by County: Official Data

By Sharon Ben-Moshe · October 16, 2026

South Carolina offers lower average childcare rates than national benchmarks, but early childhood costs remain a primary financial strain for local working families. According to official federal figures from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), the statewide population-weighted median for full-time infant center care is $198.93 per week ($10,344 annually), while family child care homes average $137.53 per week ($7,152 annually).

Tuition rates vary significantly between coastal tourist hubs, manufacturing centers in the Upstate, and rural agricultural counties.

Charleston, Greenville, and regional county comparisons

Regional childcare costs reflect local economic growth:

Charleston County: The most expensive county in South Carolina. Infant center care averages $245 per week ($12,740 per year), with Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston centers frequently charging $1,200 to $1,500 monthly. Home-based infant care averages $165 per week.
Greenville County: In the Upstate manufacturing hub, infant center care averages $215 per week ($11,180 annually), and home daycares average $150 per week.
Richland County (Columbia): Center infant tuition averages $195 per week ($10,140 per year), with preschool center care averaging $175 per week.
Horry County (Myrtle Beach): Infant center care averages $185 per week, with high seasonal demand for non-traditional shift work hours.
Spartanburg and Anderson Counties: Infant center care medians range between $175 and $195 per week.
Rural Coastal Plain Counties: Infant center rates drop to $130 to $160 per week where licensed facilities operate.

According to research from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau, infant center care in Charleston County absorbs over 17% of median family income.

Inspect complete county rates in our South Carolina childcare cost directory.

Center care versus family child care savings

Opting for home-based family child care provides substantial budget relief across South Carolina:

Infant care savings: Family child care homes average $137.53 per week statewide, saving families roughly $3,190 annually compared to center care ($198.93/week).
Toddler care: Center toddler care averages $185.03 per week ($9,622 annually), compared to $137.53 per week in home daycares ($7,152 annually).
Preschool care: Center preschool tuition averages $181.12 per week, while family child care homes average $133.25 per week.

Review our comparative analysis of center-based versus family child care to evaluate setting differences.

SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship

South Carolina assists working parents through SC Child Care Services, administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS):

SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship: Subsidizes childcare costs for working parents or parents attending school earning up to 85% of State Median Income.
Co-payment waivers: South Carolina implemented broad copayment waivers under federal funding expansions, providing zero-dollar copayments for qualifying families.
ABC Quality rating system: Providers participate in ABC Quality, the state voluntary rating program that provides tiered financial reimbursement bonuses to higher-scoring centers.

Calculate your annual childcare budget using our childcare calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does infant daycare cost in Charleston, SC?: In Charleston County, median infant center care costs roughly $245 per week ($1,060 per month or $12,740 per year), with Mount Pleasant centers regularly charging $1,200 to $1,500 monthly.
Is in-home daycare cheaper in South Carolina?: Yes. Licensed family child care homes average $137.53 per week statewide for infants, saving over $3,100 per year compared to commercial center care.
What is ABC Quality in South Carolina?: ABC Quality is South Carolina's quality rating and improvement system that evaluates childcare centers and homes on health, safety, and learning environments.
Who qualifies for childcare vouchers in South Carolina?: Working parents or parents attending school whose household income falls below 85% of State Median Income qualify for SC Working Families Child Care Scholarships.