How much does infant daycare cost in Salt Lake City?

In Salt Lake County, median infant center care costs roughly $255 per week ($1,105 per month or $13,260 per year), with premier centers charging $1,200 to $1,500 monthly.

Is in-home daycare cheaper in Utah?

Yes. Family child care homes in Utah average $168.18 per week for infants, saving families roughly $3,000 annually compared to center care.

How do Utah daycare ratios compare to other states?

Utah licensing rules mandate a 1-to-4 caregiver ratio for infants under age two with a maximum group size of 8, and a 1-to-7 ratio for two-year-old toddlers.

Who qualifies for DWS childcare subsidies in Utah?

Parents employed or engaged in approved education whose gross household income falls below 85% of State Median Income qualify for DWS childcare subsidies.

COST DATA · BUDGETING

Utah Childcare Costs by County: Official Data

By Sharon Ben-Moshe · October 15, 2026

Utah has one of the highest birth rates and largest average family sizes in the United States, creating steady demand for early childhood services. According to official federal figures from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), the statewide population-weighted median for infant center care is $226.27 per week ($11,766 per year), while family child care homes average $168.18 per week ($8,745 per year).

Because many Utah households have multiple young children close in age, total household childcare expenses can escalate quickly despite lower individual tuition rates.

Wasatch Front versus rural county price differences

Childcare costs are concentrated along the Wasatch Front urban corridor:

Salt Lake County: The most expensive childcare market in Utah. Infant center tuition averages $255 per week ($13,260 per year), with downtown Salt Lake City and Sandy centers charging $1,100 to $1,450 per month. Home-based infant care averages $180 per week.
Utah County (Provo, Orem, Lehi): Fueled by the Silicon Slopes tech sector, infant center care averages $235 per week ($12,220 annually), and home daycares average $165 per week.
Davis County (Layton, Bountiful): Infant center care averages $220 per week, and preschool center care averages $165 per week.
Weber County (Ogden): Infant center tuition averages $210 per week ($10,920 annually).
Washington County (St. George): Rapidly growing southern Utah communities average $215 per week for infant center care.
Rural Counties (Cache, Box Elder, Sanpete): Infant center rates average between $160 and $190 per week where licensed center capacity exists.

According to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, infant center care in Salt Lake County absorbs over 14% of median family income.

Inspect local county benchmarks in our Utah childcare cost directory.

Age group price progression across Utah centers

Tuition decreases progressively as children mature into toddler and preschool rooms:

Infant center care: $226.27 per week ($11,766 annually) statewide median; $168.18 per week in family child care homes.
Toddler center care: $183.87 per week ($9,561 annually); $155.77 per week in home settings.
Preschool center care: $168.06 per week ($8,739 annually); $147.70 per week in home settings.
School-age center care: $163.68 per week for summer care; $144.23 per week in home daycares.

Transitioning a child from an infant room to a preschool classroom saves Utah parents over $3,000 annually per child.

Review our guide on how age changes daycare costs to model multi-year family costs.

Utah Department of Workforce Services Child Care Subsidies

Utah administers childcare assistance through the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Office of Child Care:

Income limits: Initial eligibility is generally capped at 85% of State Median Income, allowing broad access for working families.
Co-payments: Copayments follow a sliding fee scale based on family size and gross income, with lowest-income households paying $0.
Child Care Quality System (CCQS): Utah evaluates licensed facilities on a Certified, Quality, or High Quality rating scale based on staff credentials and child interactions.

Run your household budget through our childcare calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does infant daycare cost in Salt Lake City?: In Salt Lake County, median infant center care costs roughly $255 per week ($1,105 per month or $13,260 per year), with premier centers charging $1,200 to $1,500 monthly.
Is in-home daycare cheaper in Utah?: Yes. Family child care homes in Utah average $168.18 per week for infants, saving families roughly $3,000 annually compared to center care.
How do Utah daycare ratios compare to other states?: Utah licensing rules mandate a 1-to-4 caregiver ratio for infants under age two with a maximum group size of 8, and a 1-to-7 ratio for two-year-old toddlers.
Who qualifies for DWS childcare subsidies in Utah?: Parents employed or engaged in approved education whose gross household income falls below 85% of State Median Income qualify for DWS childcare subsidies.