Michigan childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 83 Michigan counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Michigan centers runs about $136 per week at the median, below the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $136 | $589 | $160 |
| Toddler | $145 | $628 | $160 |
| Preschool | $135 | $585 | $150 |
| School-age | $120 | $520 | $140 |
Medians across Michigan counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcona County | $124/wk | $104/wk | $148/wk |
| Alger County | $136/wk | $149/wk | $142/wk |
| Allegan County | $124/wk | $126/wk | $183/wk |
| Alpena County | $111/wk | $119/wk | $154/wk |
| Antrim County | $133/wk | $133/wk | $147/wk |
| Arenac County | $135/wk | $139/wk | $140/wk |
| Baraga County | $178/wk | $176/wk | $160/wk |
| Barry County | $150/wk | $118/wk | $180/wk |
| Bay County | $170/wk | $180/wk | $160/wk |
| Benzie County | $133/wk | $147/wk | $199/wk |
| Berrien County | $137/wk | $114/wk | $192/wk |
| Branch County | $129/wk | $101/wk | $152/wk |
| Calhoun County | $134/wk | $135/wk | $187/wk |
| Cass County | $133/wk | $121/wk | $159/wk |
| Charlevoix County | $133/wk | $133/wk | $147/wk |
| Cheboygan County | $124/wk | $102/wk | $147/wk |
| Chippewa County | $130/wk | $145/wk | $142/wk |
| Clare County | $139/wk | $131/wk | $147/wk |
| Clinton County | $156/wk | $142/wk | $182/wk |
| Crawford County | $124/wk | $120/wk | $139/wk |
| Delta County | $144/wk | $156/wk | $142/wk |
| Dickinson County | $157/wk | $157/wk | $160/wk |
| Eaton County | $156/wk | $145/wk | $185/wk |
| Emmet County | $133/wk | $133/wk | $135/wk |
| Genesee County | $152/wk | $156/wk | $160/wk |
| Gladwin County | $132/wk | $137/wk | $140/wk |
| Gogebic County | $182/wk | $179/wk | $160/wk |
| Grand Traverse County | $160/wk | $156/wk | $175/wk |
| Gratiot County | $142/wk | $134/wk | $147/wk |
| Hillsdale County | $124/wk | $103/wk | $145/wk |
| Houghton County | $146/wk | $148/wk | $160/wk |
| Huron County | $119/wk | $128/wk | $133/wk |
| Ingham County | $169/wk | $124/wk | $196/wk |
| Ionia County | $133/wk | $121/wk | $156/wk |
| Iosco County | $132/wk | $137/wk | $140/wk |
| Iron County | $178/wk | $176/wk | $160/wk |
| Isabella County | $147/wk | $111/wk | $175/wk |
| Jackson County | $115/wk | $118/wk | $172/wk |
| Kalamazoo County | $160/wk | $135/wk | $186/wk |
| Kalkaska County | $133/wk | $124/wk | $161/wk |
| Kent County | $173/wk | $136/wk | $207/wk |
| Keweenaw County | $159/wk | $159/wk | $160/wk |
| Lake County | $163/wk | $155/wk | $156/wk |
| Lapeer County | $145/wk | $149/wk | $160/wk |
| Leelanau County | $160/wk | $156/wk | $173/wk |
| Lenawee County | $124/wk | $120/wk | $136/wk |
| Livingston County | $217/wk | $174/wk | $222/wk |
| Luce County | $127/wk | $142/wk | $176/wk |
| Mackinac County | $135/wk | $149/wk | $142/wk |
| Macomb County | $179/wk | $177/wk | $191/wk |
| Manistee County | $162/wk | $173/wk | $160/wk |
| Marquette County | $143/wk | $145/wk | $199/wk |
| Mason County | $146/wk | $140/wk | $156/wk |
| Mecosta County | $111/wk | $131/wk | $163/wk |
| Menominee County | $147/wk | $160/wk | $142/wk |
| Midland County | $133/wk | $147/wk | $195/wk |
| Missaukee County | $133/wk | $116/wk | $155/wk |
| Monroe County | $138/wk | $133/wk | $192/wk |
| Montcalm County | $133/wk | $125/wk | $162/wk |
| Montmorency County | $124/wk | $109/wk | $152/wk |
| Muskegon County | $121/wk | $126/wk | $176/wk |
| Newaygo County | $148/wk | $142/wk | $156/wk |
| Oakland County | $196/wk | $177/wk | $275/wk |
| Oceana County | $149/wk | $143/wk | $156/wk |
| Ogemaw County | $122/wk | $128/wk | $175/wk |
| Ontonagon County | $178/wk | $176/wk | $160/wk |
| Osceola County | $116/wk | $135/wk | $166/wk |
| Oscoda County | $124/wk | $96/wk | $142/wk |
| Otsego County | $124/wk | $120/wk | $132/wk |
| Ottawa County | $164/wk | $132/wk | $193/wk |
| Presque Isle County | $107/wk | $116/wk | $154/wk |
| Roscommon County | $127/wk | $133/wk | $140/wk |
| Saginaw County | $151/wk | $152/wk | $160/wk |
| Sanilac County | $111/wk | $122/wk | $166/wk |
| Schoolcraft County | $139/wk | $152/wk | $142/wk |
| Shiawassee County | $159/wk | $162/wk | $160/wk |
| St. Clair County | $162/wk | $144/wk | $168/wk |
| St. Joseph County | $129/wk | $102/wk | $153/wk |
| Tuscola County | $107/wk | $118/wk | $163/wk |
| Van Buren County | $133/wk | $123/wk | $160/wk |
| Washtenaw County | $228/wk | $224/wk | $240/wk |
| Wayne County | $177/wk | $165/wk | $182/wk |
| Wexford County | $108/wk | $128/wk | $161/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: Michigan requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Michigan childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Michigan?
The median price for full-time infant care at Michigan centers is about $136 per week, roughly $589 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $135 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Michigan county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Washtenaw County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $228 per week, while Presque Isle County has the lowest at about $107 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in Michigan, the median for infant care is about $160 per week home-based versus $136 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.