Daycare Cost: Minnesota vs Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin infant center care runs $1200/month — $200/month less than Minnesota's $1400/month. That's $2,400/year per child.
Minnesota
$1400
infant/month
+$170 vs national avg
Wisconsin
$1200
infant/month
-$30 vs national avg
Minnesota vs Wisconsin — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Minnesota | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,400/mo | $1,200/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,230/mo | $1,060/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $880/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,100/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,900/mo | $2,600/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Wisconsin costs $14,400/year vs Minnesota's $16,800/year.
Monthly savings
$200
Annual savings
$2,400
2-year infant care
$4,800
% difference
17%
Savings = Minnesota cost minus Wisconsin cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Minnesota (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $7,200/mo
Max infant subsidy: $1,000/mo
Covers ~71% of average infant rate
Wisconsin (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $6,200/mo
Max infant subsidy: $820/mo
Covers ~68% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Minnesota or Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1200/month, vs. $1400/month in Minnesota — a $200/month gap. Wisconsin wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin?
Infant center-based care in Wisconsin runs $200/month less than in Minnesota. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,800 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Wisconsin can cost as much as suburbs in Minnesota.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Minnesota is $170 above the national average, and Wisconsin is $30 below.
Do costs vary a lot within each state?
Yes — significantly. Major metro areas typically run 20–35% above the statewide average shown here. For example, San Francisco costs nearly double the California state average. Use the city comparison tool to compare specific metro areas.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Minnesota · Daycare in Wisconsin · All state comparisons · Compare cities