Wisconsin childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 72 Wisconsin counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Wisconsin centers runs about $210 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 | $210 | $910 | $155 |
| Toddler | $190 | $823 | $150 |
| Preschool | $190 | $823 | $150 |
| School-age | $164 | $711 | $140 |
Medians across Wisconsin counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Ashland County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Barron County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Bayfield County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Brown County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Buffalo County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Burnett County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Calumet County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Chippewa County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Clark County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Columbia County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Crawford County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Dane County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Dodge County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Door County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Douglas County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Dunn County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Eau Claire County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Florence County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Fond du Lac County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Forest County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Grant County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Green County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Green Lake County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Iowa County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Iron County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Jackson County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Jefferson County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Juneau County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Kenosha County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Kewaunee County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| La Crosse County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Lafayette County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Langlade County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Lincoln County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Manitowoc County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Marathon County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Marinette County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Marquette County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Menominee County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Milwaukee County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Monroe County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Oconto County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Oneida County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Outagamie County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Ozaukee County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Pepin County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Pierce County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Polk County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Portage County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Price County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Racine County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Richland County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Rock County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Rusk County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Sauk County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Sawyer County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Shawano County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Sheboygan County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| St. Croix County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Taylor County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Trempealeau County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Vernon County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Vilas County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Walworth County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Washburn County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Washington County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/wk |
| Waukesha County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Waupaca County | $210/wk | $190/wk | $155/wk |
| Waushara County | $182/wk | $170/wk | $150/wk |
| Winnebago County | $293/wk | $259/wk | $220/wk |
| Wood County | $236/wk | $210/wk | $175/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: Wisconsin requires one adult for every 4 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Wisconsin childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Wisconsin?
The median price for full-time infant care at Wisconsin centers is about $210 per week, roughly $910 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $190 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Wisconsin county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Brown County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $293 per week, while Adams County has the lowest at about $182 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 Wisconsin, the median for infant care is about $155 per week home-based versus $210 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.