Minnesota childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 87 Minnesota counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Minnesota centers runs about $211 per week at the median, above the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $211 | $914 | $143 |
| Toddler | $197 | $854 | $132 |
| Preschool | $182 | $789 | $132 |
| School-age | $163 | $706 | $127 |
Medians across Minnesota counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $177/wk |
| Anoka County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $165/wk |
| Becker County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Beltrami County | $255/wk | $214/wk | $143/wk |
| Benton County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $143/wk |
| Big Stone County | $178/wk | $152/wk | $143/wk |
| Blue Earth County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Brown County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $143/wk |
| Carlton County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $177/wk |
| Carver County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Cass County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $143/wk |
| Chippewa County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Chisago County | $235/wk | $201/wk | $177/wk |
| Clay County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $177/wk |
| Clearwater County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Cook County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $205/wk |
| Cottonwood County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $143/wk |
| Crow Wing County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Dakota County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Dodge County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $137/wk |
| Douglas County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Faribault County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $148/wk |
| Fillmore County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Freeborn County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $123/wk |
| Goodhue County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $177/wk |
| Grant County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $123/wk |
| Hennepin County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Houston County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Hubbard County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $143/wk |
| Isanti County | $235/wk | $201/wk | $177/wk |
| Itasca County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $177/wk |
| Jackson County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Kanabec County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Kandiyohi County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Kittson County | $167/wk | $139/wk | $128/wk |
| Koochiching County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $128/wk |
| Lac qui Parle County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $123/wk |
| Lake County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $143/wk |
| Lake of the Woods County | $255/wk | $214/wk | $188/wk |
| Le Sueur County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| Lincoln County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Lyon County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Mahnomen County | $178/wk | $152/wk | $143/wk |
| Marshall County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Martin County | $255/wk | $214/wk | $128/wk |
| McLeod County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Meeker County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $123/wk |
| Mille Lacs County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $143/wk |
| Morrison County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $123/wk |
| Mower County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Murray County | $167/wk | $139/wk | $128/wk |
| Nicollet County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Nobles County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Norman County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $128/wk |
| Olmsted County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $177/wk |
| Otter Tail County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Pennington County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Pine County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Pipestone County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Polk County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $123/wk |
| Pope County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $148/wk |
| Ramsey County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Red Lake County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Redwood County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $143/wk |
| Renville County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Rice County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $177/wk |
| Rock County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Roseau County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $128/wk |
| Scott County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Sherburne County | $235/wk | $201/wk | $177/wk |
| Sibley County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $137/wk |
| St. Louis County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $177/wk |
| Stearns County | $431/wk | $337/wk | $143/wk |
| Steele County | $235/wk | $201/wk | $123/wk |
| Stevens County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $148/wk |
| Swift County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Todd County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $123/wk |
| Traverse County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $143/wk |
| Wabasha County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Wadena County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Waseca County | $219/wk | $190/wk | $143/wk |
| Washington County | $390/wk | $309/wk | $205/wk |
| Watonwan County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Wilkin County | $175/wk | $147/wk | $128/wk |
| Winona County | $211/wk | $182/wk | $143/wk |
| Wright County | $247/wk | $206/wk | $177/wk |
| Yellow Medicine County | $199/wk | $177/wk | $128/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: Minnesota requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Minnesota childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Minnesota?
The median price for full-time infant care at Minnesota centers is about $211 per week, roughly $914 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $182 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Minnesota county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Stearns County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $431 per week, while Kittson County has the lowest at about $167 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 Minnesota, the median for infant care is about $143 per week home-based versus $211 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.