Across Minnesota, the average price of child care tuition in 2026 can change dramatically depending on your location. At the high end, a handful of counties average $16,142 per year for children up to age 5, while the least expensive counties average $8,580. Actual prices range even more widely – from about $7,500 to $26,000 – depending on the county, the child’s age, and whether care is offered in a center or a home.

This report presents average tuition prices across Minnesota locations and care types in 2026 dollars. While every provider’s ideal rates also depend on their own unique circumstances, these local benchmarks offer a useful starting point for making informed pricing decisions.

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How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Minnesota

Local competitor rates and market benchmarks are a useful starting point, as they show what families in your area are generally willing and able to pay. But relying on these figures alone can still leave you under- or over-priced. Directors also need to account for their full operating costs  – including rent, payroll, food, supplies, insurance, and more – expected vacancy rates, the distinctive features of their program, target profit margins, and other local factors unique to Minnesota.

The strongest pricing strategy combines solid market data with a clear understanding of your own numbers, resulting in rates that are both competitive for families and sustainable for the business. For a practical, step-by-step approach to evaluating your tuition structure, see Playground’s tuition pricing guide, which works well for Minnesota providers as well as those in other states.

Average Child Care Costs in Minnesota by Center Type and Age

Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.

Most Expensive Counties in Minnesota for Child Care

A handful of counties in Minnesota tie for the most expensive child care tuition in 2026, including Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties. The rest of the top 10 counties for the most expensive child care tuition in Minnesota include:

1. (tie) Carver County: $16,412

2. (tie) Dakota County: $16,412

3. (tie) Hennepin County : $16,412

4. (tie) Ramsey County: $16,412

5. (tie) Scott County: $16,412

6. (tie) Washington County: $16,412

7. Stearns County: $15,778

8. Olmsted County: $15,482

9. Anoka County: $15,195

10. Cook County: $12,603

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.

Least Expensive Counties in Minnesota for Child Care

Kittson and Murray Counties tie for the least expensive child care tuition in Minnesota in 2026, both averaging $8,580 annually across ages and care types. The full top 10 least expensive counties for child care include:

1. Kittson County: $8,580

2. Murray County: $8,580

3. Lac qui Parle County: $8,685

4. Morrison County: $8,685

5. Todd County: $8,685

6. Fillmore County: $8,820

7. Le Sueur County: $8,820

8. Sibley County: $8,820

9. Chippewa County: $8,837

10. Jackson County: $8,837

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.

Average Child Care Costs in Minnesota by County

All 87 Minnesota counties are listed below in alphabetical order with average child care tuition prices for early childhood as of 2026. A breakdown of average tuition by child age and care type is also included.

1. Aitkin County

   • Average child care tuition: $9,767

   • Infant, center-based care: $10,649

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,750

   • Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

2. Anoka County

   • Average child care tuition: $15,195

   • Infant, center-based care: $23,733

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,040

   • Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,621

   • Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,824

3. Becker County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,105

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,840

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

4. Beltrami County

   • Average child care tuition: $11,186

   • Infant, center-based care: $15,517

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,854

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $13,002

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

5. Benton County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,929

   • Infant, center-based care: $15,030

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

6. Big Stone County

   • Average child care tuition: $9,118

   • Infant, center-based care: $10,820

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $9,907

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $9,237

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

7. Blue Earth County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,105

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,840

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

8. Brown County

   • Average child care tuition: $9,023

   • Infant, center-based care: $10,649

   • Infant, home-based care: $8,721

   • Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

   • Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

9. Carlton County

   • Average child care tuition: $10,849

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,840

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,750

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

10. Carver County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

11. Cass County

• Average child care tuition: $9,023

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

12. Chippewa County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

13. Chisago County

• Average child care tuition: $11,438

• Infant, center-based care: $14,280

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,930

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,211

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

14. Clay County

• Average child care tuition: $10,849

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

15. Clearwater County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

16. Cook County

• Average child care tuition: $12,603

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

17. Cottonwood County

• Average child care tuition: $9,023

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

18. Crow Wing County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

19. Dakota County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

20. Dodge County

• Average child care tuition: $9,902

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,317

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,505

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,708

21. Douglas County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

22. Faribault County

• Average child care tuition: $9,175

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $9,026

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,317

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,317

23. Fillmore County

• Average child care tuition: $8,820

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,317

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,505

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,708

24. Freeborn County

• Average child care tuition: $9,767

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

25. Goodhue County

• Average child care tuition: $11,673

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

26. Grant County

• Average child care tuition: $9,767

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

27. Hennepin County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

28. Houston County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

29. Hubbard County

• Average child care tuition: $10,929

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

30. Isanti County

• Average child care tuition: $11,438

• Infant, center-based care: $14,280

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,930

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,211

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

31. Itasca County

• Average child care tuition: $11,105

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

32. Jackson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

33. Kanabec County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

34. Kandiyohi County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

35. Kittson County

• Average child care tuition: $8,580

• Infant, center-based care: $10,163

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,230

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,458

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

36. Koochiching County

• Average child care tuition: $10,175

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

37. Lac qui Parle County

• Average child care tuition: $8,685

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

38. Lake County

• Average child care tuition: $10,929

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

39. Lake of the Woods County

• Average child care tuition: $12,285

• Infant, center-based care: $15,517

• Infant, home-based care: $11,459

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,854

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,939

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,002

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,939

40. Le Sueur County

• Average child care tuition: $8,820

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,317

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,505

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,708

41. Lincoln County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

42. Lyon County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

43. Mahnomen County

• Average child care tuition: $9,118

• Infant, center-based care: $10,820

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,907

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,237

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

44. Marshall County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

45. Martin County

• Average child care tuition: $11,000

• Infant, center-based care: $15,517

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,854

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,002

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

46. McLeod County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

47. Meeker County

• Average child care tuition: $9,767

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

48. Mille Lacs County

• Average child care tuition: $10,929

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

49. Morrison County

• Average child care tuition: $8,685

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

50. Mower County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

51. Murray County

• Average child care tuition: $8,580

• Infant, center-based care: $10,163

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,230

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,458

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

52. Nicollet County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

53. Nobles County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

54. Norman County

• Average child care tuition: $10,175

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

55. Olmsted County

• Average child care tuition: $15,482

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

56. Otter Tail County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

57. Pennington County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

58. Pine County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

59. Pipestone County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

60. Polk County

• Average child care tuition: $10,023

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

61. Pope County

• Average child care tuition: $10,257

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $9,026

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,317

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,317

62. Ramsey County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

63. Red Lake County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

64. Redwood County

• Average child care tuition: $9,023

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

65. Renville County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

66. Rice County

• Average child care tuition: $11,673

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

67. Rock County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

68. Roseau County

• Average child care tuition: $9,919

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

69. Scott County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

70. Sherburne County

• Average child care tuition: $11,438

• Infant, center-based care: $14,280

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,930

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,211

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

71. Sibley County

• Average child care tuition: $8,820

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,317

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,505

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,708

72. St. Louis County

• Average child care tuition: $10,849

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

73. Stearns County

• Average child care tuition: $15,778

• Infant, center-based care: $26,207

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $23,229

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $20,487

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

74. Steele County

• Average child care tuition: $10,356

• Infant, center-based care: $14,280

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,930

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,211

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

75. Stevens County

• Average child care tuition: $9,175

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $9,026

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,317

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,317

76. Swift County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

77. Todd County

• Average child care tuition: $8,685

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,505

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,606

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,606

78. Traverse County

• Average child care tuition: $9,023

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

79. Wabasha County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

80. Wadena County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

81. Waseca County

• Average child care tuition: $10,361

• Infant, center-based care: $13,326

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,555

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,542

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

82. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $16,412

• Infant, center-based care: $23,733

• Infant, home-based care: $12,475

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,803

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,258

83. Watonwan County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

84. Wilkin County

• Average child care tuition: $8,837

• Infant, center-based care: $10,649

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,798

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,945

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

85. Winona County

• Average child care tuition: $10,105

• Infant, center-based care: $12,840

• Infant, home-based care: $8,721

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,012

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,012

86. Wright County

• Average child care tuition: $11,673

• Infant, center-based care: $15,030

• Infant, home-based care: $10,750

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,285

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,516

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,330

87. Yellow Medicine County

• Average child care tuition: $9,684

• Infant, center-based care: $12,089

• Infant, home-based care: $7,808

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,634

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,911

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,750

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,911

Data and Methodology

The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).