Montana childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 56 Montana counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Montana centers runs about $218 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 | $218 | $945 | $174 |
| Toddler | $227 | $984 | $178 |
| Preschool | $195 | $845 | $178 |
| School-age | $195 | $845 | $164 |
Medians across Montana counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverhead County | $213/wk | $190/wk | $172/wk |
| Big Horn County | $218/wk | $195/wk | $171/wk |
| Blaine County | $217/wk | $193/wk | $170/wk |
| Broadwater County | $221/wk | $197/wk | $174/wk |
| Carbon County | $221/wk | $197/wk | $174/wk |
| Carter County | $211/wk | $189/wk | $166/wk |
| Cascade County | $220/wk | $197/wk | $178/wk |
| Chouteau County | $213/wk | $191/wk | $168/wk |
| Custer County | $239/wk | $213/wk | $193/wk |
| Daniels County | $197/wk | $176/wk | $155/wk |
| Dawson County | $226/wk | $201/wk | $182/wk |
| Deer Lodge County | $208/wk | $186/wk | $168/wk |
| Fallon County | $235/wk | $210/wk | $185/wk |
| Fergus County | $209/wk | $187/wk | $170/wk |
| Flathead County | $222/wk | $199/wk | $180/wk |
| Gallatin County | $237/wk | $212/wk | $192/wk |
| Garfield County | $215/wk | $192/wk | $169/wk |
| Glacier County | $207/wk | $185/wk | $167/wk |
| Golden Valley County | $223/wk | $200/wk | $176/wk |
| Granite County | $212/wk | $190/wk | $167/wk |
| Hill County | $211/wk | $188/wk | $170/wk |
| Jefferson County | $229/wk | $204/wk | $180/wk |
| Judith Basin County | $209/wk | $186/wk | $164/wk |
| Lake County | $226/wk | $202/wk | $178/wk |
| Lewis and Clark County | $216/wk | $193/wk | $175/wk |
| Liberty County | $218/wk | $195/wk | $171/wk |
| Lincoln County | $224/wk | $200/wk | $176/wk |
| Madison County | $236/wk | $211/wk | $186/wk |
| McCone County | $213/wk | $190/wk | $167/wk |
| Meagher County | $209/wk | $186/wk | $164/wk |
| Mineral County | $220/wk | $196/wk | $173/wk |
| Missoula County | $219/wk | $196/wk | $177/wk |
| Musselshell County | $238/wk | $212/wk | $187/wk |
| Park County | $216/wk | $193/wk | $175/wk |
| Petroleum County | $215/wk | $192/wk | $169/wk |
| Phillips County | $216/wk | $193/wk | $170/wk |
| Pondera County | $218/wk | $194/wk | $176/wk |
| Powder River County | $229/wk | $205/wk | $180/wk |
| Powell County | $217/wk | $194/wk | $175/wk |
| Prairie County | $224/wk | $200/wk | $176/wk |
| Ravalli County | $225/wk | $201/wk | $177/wk |
| Richland County | $213/wk | $191/wk | $173/wk |
| Roosevelt County | $210/wk | $187/wk | $169/wk |
| Rosebud County | $219/wk | $196/wk | $172/wk |
| Sanders County | $214/wk | $191/wk | $168/wk |
| Sheridan County | $231/wk | $206/wk | $182/wk |
| Silver Bow County | $216/wk | $193/wk | $174/wk |
| Stillwater County | $235/wk | $210/wk | $185/wk |
| Sweet Grass County | $217/wk | $194/wk | $171/wk |
| Teton County | $241/wk | $215/wk | $189/wk |
| Toole County | $206/wk | $184/wk | $166/wk |
| Treasure County | $254/wk | $227/wk | $200/wk |
| Valley County | $209/wk | $187/wk | $169/wk |
| Wheatland County | $221/wk | $197/wk | $174/wk |
| Wibaux County | $246/wk | $220/wk | $194/wk |
| Yellowstone County | $227/wk | $203/wk | $184/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: Montana requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Montana childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Montana?
The median price for full-time infant care at Montana centers is about $218 per week, roughly $945 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $195 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Montana county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Treasure County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $254 per week, while Daniels County has the lowest at about $197 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 Montana, the median for infant care is about $174 per week home-based versus $218 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.