FACT BRIEFIs child care in Nevada affordable by federal standards?
No.
The average cost of child care in Nevada in each of three major categories exceeds the federal definition of “affordable” for families making the state’s median income.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers care affordable if it costs 7 percent or less of a family’s income. The median household income in Nevada as of 2023 is $75,561, and 7 percent would be $5,289.
This means that the average cost of full-time, center-based care for one child makes up about 17 percent of the median Nevada family’s income, while family child care will take up about 14 percent of a family’s income. Average group care costs will take up about 9.5 percent of the median Nevada family’s income.
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Sources
- U.S Department of Health and Human Services Improving Child Care Access, Affordability, and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund
- Child Care Aware 2023 Affordability Analysis
- United States Census Bureau Quickfacts Nevada
- Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health Facility Types Defined
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