Montana childcare cost
West region · NDCP 2016 data · median of 56 counties
In Montana, median center-based infant care costs about $7,297 per year ($140/week) — about 9% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 14.3% of Montana's median household income ($51,074), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $6,385/year. Figures are 2016 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.
Montana childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2016:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $140 | $7,297 | 14.3% | $105 | $5,484 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $123 | $6,385 | 12.5% | $98 | $5,119 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $123 | $6,385 | 12.5% | $98 | $5,119 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $123 | $6,385 | 12.5% | $98 | $5,119 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2016). 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 Montana's median household income of $51,074. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Montana families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Montana, a year of center-based infant care ($7,297) is equal to about 14.3% 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 Montana sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($6,385/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Montana compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Montana:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana (this state) | $7,297 | 14.3% | $6,385 |
| North Dakota | $7,435 | 11.6% | $6,349 |
| Wyoming | $7,154 | 11.4% | $5,835 |
| Oklahoma | $7,631 | 14.7% | $6,413 |
| Texas | $6,942 | 11.4% | $5,858 |
| Missouri | $6,922 | 12.6% | $5,377 |
By annual infant-care cost, Montana ranks #34 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Montana?
In Montana, the median price of center-based infant care is about $7,297 per year ($140 per week), based on 2016 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 9% below the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Montana?
Median center-based infant care in Montana costs about 14.3% of the state's median household income ($51,074). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Montana is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Montana?
Family (home-based) childcare in Montana is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $5,484 per year versus $7,297 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 Montana childcare data from?
These are 2016 median prices — the latest year Montana 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.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2016, public domain). The state figure is the median of 56 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 2016. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20