Cheapest Childcare in Michigan
Floor price 26% below the Michigan infant average
Ranked by reported cost only, not a quality, safety, or licensing rating. Verify licensing and inspection history directly with providers or Michigan's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Cheapest Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuscola County | $5,545/yr |
| 2 | Presque Isle County | $5,558/yr |
| 3 | Wexford County | $5,632/yr |
| 4 | Alpena County | $5,766/yr |
| 5 | Mecosta County | $5,781/yr |
| 6 | Sanilac County | $5,792/yr |
| 7 | Jackson County | $5,985/yr |
| 8 | Osceola County | $6,055/yr |
| 9 | Huron County | $6,174/yr |
| 10 | Muskegon County | $6,296/yr |
| 11 | Ogemaw County | $6,364/yr |
| 12 | Allegan County | $6,427/yr |
| 13 | Alcona County | $6,469/yr |
| 14 | Cheboygan County | $6,469/yr |
| 15 | Crawford County | $6,469/yr |
| 16 | Hillsdale County | $6,469/yr |
| 17 | Lenawee County | $6,469/yr |
| 18 | Montmorency County | $6,469/yr |
| 19 | Oscoda County | $6,469/yr |
| 20 | Otsego County | $6,469/yr |
| 21 | Luce County | $6,581/yr |
| 22 | Roscommon County | $6,610/yr |
| 23 | Branch County | $6,698/yr |
| 24 | St. Joseph County | $6,698/yr |
| 25 | Chippewa County | $6,759/yr |
| 26 | Gladwin County | $6,858/yr |
| 27 | Iosco County | $6,880/yr |
| 28 | Midland County | $6,892/yr |
| 29 | Benzie County | $6,906/yr |
| 30 | Antrim County | $6,926/yr |
| 31 | Cass County | $6,926/yr |
| 32 | Charlevoix County | $6,926/yr |
| 33 | Emmet County | $6,926/yr |
| 34 | Ionia County | $6,926/yr |
| 35 | Kalkaska County | $6,926/yr |
| 36 | Missaukee County | $6,926/yr |
| 37 | Montcalm County | $6,926/yr |
| 38 | Van Buren County | $6,926/yr |
| 39 | Calhoun County | $6,985/yr |
| 40 | Arenac County | $7,001/yr |
| 41 | Mackinac County | $7,007/yr |
| 42 | Alger County | $7,052/yr |
| 43 | Berrien County | $7,131/yr |
| 44 | Monroe County | $7,159/yr |
| 45 | Clare County | $7,230/yr |
| 46 | Schoolcraft County | $7,230/yr |
| 47 | Gratiot County | $7,371/yr |
| 48 | Marquette County | $7,417/yr |
| 49 | Delta County | $7,470/yr |
| 50 | Lapeer County | $7,519/yr |
Deep floor gap inside Michigan
Signature read: the cheapest price sits 26% below the Michigan infant average — a deep in-state floor gap on this NDCP list. Tuscola County posts $5,545/year — 26% under the $7,444 state average — with toddler $6,126 and preschool $6,126.
All 50 priced Michigan counties on this board are sorted by center infant price (NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Low-avg state board: counties sorted by NDCP center infant cost (2022); state benchmark $7,444/year.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Michigan cheapest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.