Daycare Cost: Sacramento vs Minneapolis (2026)
Minneapolis infant center care runs $1610/month — $460/month less than Sacramento's $2070/month. That's $5,520/year per child.
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
Minneapolis, MN
$1610
infant/month
+$380 vs national avg
Sacramento vs Minneapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Sacramento | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,070/mo | $1,610/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,840/mo | $1,410/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,490/mo | $1,210/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,270/mo | $1,010/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,610/mo | $1,270/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,020/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, Minneapolis costs $19,320/year vs Sacramento's $24,840/year.
Monthly savings
$460
Annual savings
$5,520
2-year infant care
$11,040
% difference
29%
Savings = Sacramento cost minus Minneapolis 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.
Sacramento
24.3%
of $102k 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.
Sacramento, CA — 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 Sacramento or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1610/month, vs. $2070/month in Sacramento — a $460/month gap. Minneapolis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Sacramento to Minneapolis?
Infant center-based care in Minneapolis runs $460/month less than in Sacramento. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $11,040 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. Sacramento is $840 above the national average, and Minneapolis is $380 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Sacramento · Daycare in Minneapolis · All city comparisons