County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Grant County, MN

Compiled by Plainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team

$10,972 a year for center-based infant care - 16.2% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Minnesota counties Rankings Methodology

Grant County, MN families pay $10,972/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $6,413/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 16.2% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $10,244/year, and preschool-age care is $9,447/year.

Grant County vs. the nation

Grant County, MN runs $10,972 a year for center-based infant care, 14% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 27% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 16.2% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$10,972/yr: Vs. national avg
+14%: National rank
#1,931 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
16.2%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$10,972
Center Infant/yr: $6,413
Family Infant/yr: $67,600
Median Income: 16.2%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$10,972	$6,413	+$4,559
Toddler	$10,244	$6,500	+$3,744
Preschool	$9,447	$6,500	+$2,947
School Age	$8,493	$5,893	+$2,600

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $10,972

Toddler $10,244

Preschool $9,447

School Age $8,493

Where Grant County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices

$10,972 more affordable than 27% of 2,662 US counties

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for Grant County Families

Weighed against a $67,600 median household income, Grant County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 16.2% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 9.2 points.Between 15-20% of income, Grant County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.

For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 15 years of NDCP survey data.

+56.3% since 2008

Infant center care: $7,020 → $10,972

$10,972/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$7,020

2009

$7,072

2010

$7,124

2011

$8,840

2012

$7,540

2013

$7,150

2014

$6,760

2015

$7,566

2016

$8,372

2017

$9,360

2018

$10,348

2019

$10,504

2020

$10,660

2021

$10,816

2022

$10,972

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$7,020	$6,500	$5,460	$4,784	$6,240	$5,720
2009	$7,072	$6,500	$5,980	$5,460	$5,720	$5,460
2010	$7,124	$6,500	$6,500	$6,136	$5,200	$5,200
2011	$8,840	$8,208	$7,696	$7,020	$6,500	$6,084
2012	$7,540	$7,020	$6,500	$5,824	$6,500	$6,240
2013	$7,150	$6,760	$6,500	$5,902	$6,500	$6,240
2014	$6,760	$6,500	$6,500	$5,980	$6,500	$6,240
2015	$7,566	$7,046	$6,604	$5,928	$6,552	$6,370
2016	$8,372	$7,592	$6,708	$5,876	$6,604	$6,500
2017	$9,360	$8,606	$7,904	$6,838	$6,682	$6,500
2018	$10,348	$9,620	$9,100	$7,800	$6,760	$6,500
2019	$10,504	$9,776	$9,187	$7,973	$6,673	$6,500
2020	$10,660	$9,932	$9,273	$8,147	$6,587	$6,500
2021	$10,816	$10,088	$9,360	$8,320	$6,500	$6,500
2022	$10,972	$10,244	$9,447	$8,493	$6,413	$6,500

What this means for Grant County families

Infant center care here takes 16.2% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 16.2% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
Family childcare homes run $6,413/year for infants, about $4,559 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Grant County compares against the cheapest counties in Minnesota. Cheapest in Minnesota

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Grant County, MN? ▼

Center-based infant care runs $10,972/year in Grant County, MN. Infants in a family childcare setting cost $6,413/year, and preschool-age center care is $9,447/year.

Is childcare affordable in Grant County, MN? ▼

In Grant County, MN, families spend 16.2% of the $67,600 median household income on center-based infant care. HHS calls anything above 7% unaffordable. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 9.2 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Grant County, MN? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Grant County, MN changed from $10,972 to $7,020 (-36.0%).

What is the cheapest childcare option in Grant County, MN? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Grant County, MN. Preschool family care costs $6,500/year compared to $9,447/year for center-based care, a difference of $2,947/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in Grant County, MN? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Grant County, MN costs $8,493/year for center-based care and $5,893/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.