Daycare Cost: Virginia Beach vs Minneapolis (2026)
Virginia Beach infant center care runs $1470/month — $140/month less than Minneapolis's $1610/month. That's $1,680/year per child.
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Minneapolis, MN
$1610
infant/month
+$380 vs national avg
Virginia Beach vs Minneapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Virginia Beach | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,470/mo ✓ | $1,610/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,290/mo ✓ | $1,410/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,210/mo |
| School Age | $920/mo ✓ | $1,010/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,160/mo ✓ | $1,270/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,050/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, Virginia Beach costs $17,640/year vs Minneapolis's $19,320/year.
Monthly savings
$140
Annual savings
$1,680
2-year infant care
$3,360
% difference
10%
Savings = Minneapolis cost minus Virginia Beach 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.
Virginia Beach
18.8%
of $94k 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.
Virginia Beach, VA — 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 Virginia Beach or Minneapolis?
Virginia Beach is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1470/month, vs. $1610/month in Minneapolis — a $140/month gap. Virginia Beach wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Minneapolis to Virginia Beach?
Infant center-based care in Virginia Beach runs $140/month less than in Minneapolis. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,360 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. Virginia Beach is $240 above the national average, and Minneapolis is $380 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Virginia Beach · Daycare in Minneapolis · All city comparisons