Minnesota childcare cost
Midwest region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 87 counties
In Minnesota, median center-based infant care costs about $9,984 per year ($192/week) — about 25% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 14.2% of Minnesota's median household income ($70,154), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $7,852/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Minnesota childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $192 | $9,984 | 14.2% | $130 | $6,760 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $167 | $8,684 | 12.4% | $125 | $6,500 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $151 | $7,852 | 11.2% | $125 | $6,500 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $147 | $7,644 | 10.9% | $120 | $6,240 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Minnesota's median household income of $70,154. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Minnesota families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Minnesota, a year of center-based infant care ($9,984) is equal to about 14.2% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Minnesota sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($7,852/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Minnesota compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Minnesota:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (this state) | $9,984 | 14.2% | $7,852 |
| Maine | $9,620 | 17.0% | $8,645 |
| Wisconsin | $10,400 | 17.3% | $9,100 |
| Utah | $9,522 | 13.8% | $7,386 |
| Ohio | $9,412 | 16.9% | $7,540 |
| Delaware | $9,327 | 14.0% | $7,808 |
By annual infant-care cost, Minnesota ranks #15 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Minnesota
County-level median prices we publish for Minnesota:
- Hennepin County — infant center care $18,616/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, the median price of center-based infant care is about $9,984 per year ($192 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 25% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Minnesota?
Median center-based infant care in Minnesota costs about 14.2% of the state's median household income ($70,154). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Minnesota is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Minnesota?
Family (home-based) childcare in Minnesota is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $6,760 per year versus $9,984 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Minnesota childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Minnesota appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 87 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20