Daycare Cost: El Paso vs Minneapolis (2026)
El Paso infant center care runs $790/month — $820/month less than Minneapolis's $1610/month. That's $9,840/year per child.
El Paso, TX
$790
infant/month
-$440 vs national avg
Minneapolis, MN
$1610
infant/month
+$380 vs national avg
El Paso vs Minneapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | El Paso | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,610/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $700/mo ✓ | $1,410/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $600/mo ✓ | $1,210/mo |
| School Age | $490/mo ✓ | $1,010/mo |
| Infant — Home | $620/mo ✓ | $1,270/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,940/mo ✓ | $3,330/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, El Paso costs $9,480/year vs Minneapolis's $19,320/year.
Monthly savings
$820
Annual savings
$9,840
2-year infant care
$19,680
% difference
104%
Savings = Minneapolis cost minus El Paso cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
El Paso
11.6%
of $82k median income
Minneapolis
20.9%
of $92k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
El Paso, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Minneapolis, MN — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in El Paso or Minneapolis?
El Paso is cheaper for infant center-based care at $790/month, vs. $1610/month in Minneapolis — a $820/month gap. El Paso wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Minneapolis to El Paso?
Infant center-based care in El Paso runs $820/month less than in Minneapolis. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,680 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. El Paso is $440 below the national average, and Minneapolis is $380 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in El Paso · Daycare in Minneapolis · All city comparisons