Daycare Cost: Minneapolis, MN vs Columbus, OH (2026)
Columbus, OH infant center care runs $1090/month — $390/month less than Minneapolis, MN's $1480/month. That's $4,680/year per child.
Minneapolis, MN, MN
$1480
infant/month
+$250 vs national avg
Columbus, OH, OH
$1090
infant/month
-$140 vs national avg
Minneapolis, MN vs Columbus, OH — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Minneapolis, MN | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,480/mo | $1,090/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,300/mo | $960/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,110/mo | $820/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $930/mo | $685/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,170/mo | $860/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,200/mo | $2,400/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Columbus, OH costs $13,080/year vs Minneapolis, MN's $17,760/year.
Monthly savings
$390
Annual savings
$4,680
2-year infant care
$9,360
% difference
36%
Savings = Minneapolis, MN cost minus Columbus, OH 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.
Minneapolis, MN
21.1%
of $84k median income
Columbus, OH
19.9%
of $66k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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.
Minneapolis, MN, MN — CCDF
Check eligibility →Columbus, OH, OH — 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 Minneapolis, MN or Columbus, OH?
Columbus, OH is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1090/month, vs. $1480/month in Minneapolis, MN — a $390/month gap. Columbus, OH wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Minneapolis, MN to Columbus, OH?
Infant center-based care in Columbus, OH runs $390/month less than in Minneapolis, MN. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $9,360 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. Minneapolis, MN is $250 above the national average, and Columbus, OH is $140 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Minneapolis, MN · Daycare in Columbus, OH · All city comparisons