Average Daycare Cost in Minnesota 2026
Monthly and annual rates by age group, city, and care type
The average daycare cost in Minnesota is $1400/month for infants and $1050/month for preschool-age children in 2026. That works out to about $323/week or $65/day for full-time infant care. For infant care, that's 14% above national avg of $1230/month. Toddler programs run $1230/month, school-age aftercare $880/month. Home-based care averages $1100/month for infants. Scroll down to calculate your net cost after the federal tax credit and FSA savings.
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Daycare Cost by Age Group in Minnesota
| Age Group | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Infant (center) | $1400/mo$323/wk |
| Toddler (center) | $1230/mo$284/wk |
| Preschool (center) | $1050/mo$242/wk |
| School-age (center) | $880/mo$203/wk |
| Infant (home-based) | $1100/mo$254/wk |
Last updated August 2024
Paying too much? Only about 1 in 6 eligible children receives a CCDF subsidy (HHS ASPE, FY2022).
Check Minnesota's income limits and CCDF eligibility. Takes 2 minutes.
What can you actually do about it?
You know what daycare costs in Minnesota. These tools help you figure out your next move.
Is working worth it in Minnesota?
Net income after daycare, taxes, and commute costs
Can you afford a baby in Minnesota?
Full first-year costs: daycare, medical, gear, lost income
Total cost to raise a child in Minnesota
Full 18-year estimate: daycare, housing, food, education
What programs do you qualify for?
CCDF, Head Start, pre-K, tax credits. One scan covers all of them
What Childcare Costs at Your Income
Enter your household income. See what % goes to childcare, whether you may qualify for subsidies, and your actual monthly cost after tax savings.
Minnesota area median: $87,000/year
% of Income
CCDF Subsidy
Minnesota's income limit: $5,640/month (family of 4). Max infant subsidy: $1,000/month.
Check eligibility →Your income is close to the $5,640/month limit. Eligibility depends on family size and other factors.
Check eligibility →CCDF limit for family of 4: $5,640/month. Federal tax credits still apply — see net cost below.
Tax credit guide →Net Monthly Cost
—
after federal tax credits
Minnesota vs National
—
Typical US family pays ~20% of income on infant care at $75K. The HHS "affordable" benchmark is 7%.
See Minnesota income ratio data →IRS 2026 CDCTC rates used for net cost estimate. Subsidy eligibility is estimated — actual qualification depends on family size, work status, and provider availability. Consult a tax advisor for personalized advice.
Minnesota average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1400
14% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$1230
$14,760/year
Preschool (center)
$1050
$12,600/year
School Age
$880
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1100
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,900
Full-time, statewide avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
How Does Minnesota Daycare Cost Compare to the National Average?
In 2026, infant center-based daycare in Minnesota averages $1400/month, which is 14% above the national average of $1230/month. Minnesota families pay $170/month more the typical American family for the same type of care.
| Age / Care Type | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $1,230/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo |
| School Age — Center | $880/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,100/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,900/mo |
How Much Does a Year of Daycare Cost in Minnesota?
Full-time infant center care in Minnesota costs $16,800/year in 2026. That is $2,040 more than the national average of $14,760/year. Costs drop as children age: toddler care runs $14,760/year and preschool $12,600/year.
Infant / year
$16,800
Toddler / year
$14,760
Preschool / year
$12,600
School Age / year
$10,560
Your Actual Cost After Tax Benefits
Gross cost isn't what you pay. The federal Child & Dependent Care Credit saves most families $600–$1,200/year. Add an FSA and you cut another $1,250–$1,900. Enter your income below.
Default: Minnesota area median (Census 2024 ACS)
Available through many employers. Reduces taxable income and FICA — worth more per dollar than the credit alone.
IRS 2026 DCTC rates. FSA savings include income + FICA (7.65%) tax reduction. Non-refundable credit — reduces tax owed, not a cash refund. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
What Childcare Subsidies Are Available in Minnesota?
Minnesota participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 qualifies at initial application with gross income at or below $67,679/year (about $5,640/month; 47% SMI entrance level). The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $1,000/month.
At Minnesota's average infant rate of $1400/month, the maximum subsidy covers about 71% of the cost for qualifying families.
Source: Minnesota CCAP Copayment Schedules DHS-6413N, Income limits at-a-glance, effective October 13, 2025.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Minnesota
How much does daycare cost in Minnesota?
Infant center-based daycare in Minnesota averages $1400/month in 2026. That's $170 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher wages and cost of living push prices up. Toddler care runs $1230/month and preschool $1050/month.
What is the difference between center-based and home-based daycare in Minnesota?
Center-based infant care in Minnesota averages $1400/month; home-based (licensed family daycare) averages $1100/month — about 21% less. Home-based care typically has smaller groups and more flexible hours. Centers tend to offer more structured programs. Both are licensed by the state.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Minnesota?
For one child, no. A full-time nanny in Minnesota averages $2,900/month versus $1400/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip — two daycare slots at $1400 each ($2,800/month) often exceeds a single nanny cost. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator to compare.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Minnesota?
Yes — significantly. In Minnesota: infant care ($1400/month) → toddler care ($1230/month, 12% drop) → preschool ($1050/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($880/month, 37% drop from infant). This pattern holds in every state — staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age. Once kindergarten starts, most families switch to Minnesota after-school care — see the school-district, YMCA, and private-program rates, or the national after-school care cost guide.
How Much Does Daycare Cost in Different Minnesota Cities?
Daycare costs in Minnesota vary widely by city. Urban areas like major metro centers typically run 20–35% higher than the statewide average of $1400/month for infant care. Below are city-level estimates based on local cost-of-living adjustments.
Eagan, MN
$1500/mo infant
Hastings, MN
$1420/mo infant
Lake Elmo, MN
$1560/mo infant
Lakefield, MN
$1140/mo infant
Lakeville, MN
$1510/mo infant
Luverne, MN
$1090/mo infant
Minneapolis, MN
$1480/mo infant
North Branch, MN
$1280/mo infant
St. Paul, MN
$1430/mo infant
Or see all 100 cities across the US · compare cities side by side.
Get your local cost
Statewide averages vary a lot by ZIP code. Enter yours to see what daycare actually costs near you.
See all 50 states
Compare Minnesota against every other state — filter by age group and care type, sorted by cost.
Daycare cost by state →Daycare Cost Data by ZIP Code in Minnesota
Statewide averages vary a lot by ZIP code. See local daycare market data for the largest communities in Minnesota.
How Does Minnesota Compare to Nearby States for Daycare?
Infant center-based daycare in Minnesota costs $1400/month. Neighboring states range from $850 to $1200/month for the same care type. If you live near a state line, the savings could add up to thousands per year.
Compare Minnesota Daycare Costs
Side-by-side state comparisons — see how daycare costs differ across state lines.
How Do Daycare Costs Change by Age in Minnesota?
Infant care is the most expensive at $1400/month in Minnesota. Costs drop as children age: toddler care averages $1230/month, preschool $1050/month, and school-age programs $880/month. Click any age group to compare across all 50 states.
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