South Dakota childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 66 South Dakota counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at South Dakota centers runs about $120 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 | $120 | $520 | $100 |
| Toddler | $120 | $520 | $100 |
| Preschool | $114 | $494 | $100 |
| School-age | $115 | $498 | $109 |
Medians across South Dakota counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Beadle County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Bennett County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Bon Homme County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Brookings County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Brown County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Brule County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Buffalo County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Butte County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Campbell County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Charles Mix County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Clark County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Clay County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Codington County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Corson County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Custer County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Davison County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Day County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Deuel County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Dewey County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Douglas County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Edmunds County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Fall River County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Faulk County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Grant County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Gregory County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Haakon County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Hamlin County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Hand County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Hanson County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Harding County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Hughes County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Hutchinson County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Hyde County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Jackson County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Jerauld County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Jones County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Kingsbury County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Lake County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Lawrence County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Lincoln County | $178/wk | $167/wk | $120/wk |
| Lyman County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Marshall County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| McCook County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| McPherson County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Meade County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Mellette County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Miner County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Minnehaha County | $178/wk | $167/wk | $120/wk |
| Moody County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Oglala Lakota County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Pennington County | $154/wk | $145/wk | $115/wk |
| Perkins County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Potter County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Roberts County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Sanborn County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Spink County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Stanley County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Sully County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Todd County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Tripp County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Turner County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Union County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Walworth County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/wk |
| Yankton County | $150/wk | $136/wk | $102/wk |
| Ziebach County | $120/wk | $114/wk | $100/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: South Dakota requires one adult for every 5 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
South Dakota childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in South Dakota?
The median price for full-time infant care at South Dakota centers is about $120 per week, roughly $520 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $114 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which South Dakota county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Lincoln County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $178 per week, while Aurora County has the lowest at about $120 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 South Dakota, the median for infant care is about $100 per week home-based versus $120 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.