Kentucky Ranks Among the Lowest in America for Child Care Costs

Here’s some really good news, Kentucky families – a new report says your commonwealth is one of the best in America when it comes to child care costs. According to WalletHub, Kentucky ranks 46th out of 51 (50 states + D.C.) in terms of cost burden for married couples, meaning it’s one of the least expensive states to pay for family-based and center-based child care.

Why Kentucky Stands Out for Families

• Married-couple families in Kentucky spend only 6.51% of their median annual income on family-based care and about 8.57% on center-based care – that’s among the lowest in the nation.
• Single-parent households aren't left out either – they spend just 22.59% on family care and 29.72% on center-based care, trading in wallet-busting percentages for something more manageable.

ALSO READ: 11 Things Some Might Find Hard to Believe About Kentucky

Why does this matter? WalletHub reminds us that child care costs can gobble up to 13% of married couples' incomes and a staggering 51% of single parents' earnings in higher-cost states. Thanks to Kentucky’s affordable options, families here can breathe easier.

Life in the Bluegrass State

Kentucky’s not just about bourbon and bluegrass – it’s also sweet relief for growing families. With costs hovering below national averages, more money stays in your pocket. That means more wiggle room for rainy day funds, family fun nights, or even splurging on lessons for the little ones.

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Take a look at the FULL REPORT to see all of the data for Kentucky and the rest of the country. If you don't need that much information, you can just scroll over the map below to see how each state ranked.