South Dakota childcare cost
Midwest region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 66 counties
In South Dakota, median center-based infant care costs about $5,377 per year ($103/week) — about 33% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 9.5% of South Dakota's median household income ($56,590), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (above benchmark). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $5,243/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.
South Dakota 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) | $103 | $5,377 | 9.5% | $86 | $4,481 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $103 | $5,377 | 9.5% | $86 | $4,481 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $101 | $5,243 | 9.3% | $86 | $4,481 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $108 | $5,601 | 9.9% | $86 | $4,481 |
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 South Dakota's median household income of $56,590. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for South Dakota families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In South Dakota, a year of center-based infant care ($5,377) is equal to about 9.5% 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 South Dakota sits above the 7% affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($5,243/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How South Dakota compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to South Dakota:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (this state) | $5,377 | 9.5% | $5,243 |
| Arkansas | $5,135 | 11.0% | $4,615 |
| Georgia | $4,940 | 9.0% | $4,680 |
| Kansas | $5,876 | 9.9% | $5,294 |
| Kentucky | $5,980 | 12.1% | $5,330 |
| Alabama | $6,261 | 12.7% | $5,452 |
By annual infant-care cost, South Dakota ranks #46 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 South Dakota?
In South Dakota, the median price of center-based infant care is about $5,377 per year ($103 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 33% 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 South Dakota?
Median center-based infant care in South Dakota costs about 9.5% of the state's median household income ($56,590). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so South Dakota is above the 7% affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in South Dakota?
Family (home-based) childcare in South Dakota is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $4,481 per year versus $5,377 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 South Dakota childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year South Dakota 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 (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 66 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