Most Expensive Childcare in Minnesota
Ceiling county 91% above the Minnesota infant average
Ranked by reported cost only, not a quality, safety, or licensing rating. A higher price does not imply better care; verify licensing and inspection history directly with providers or Minnesota's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stearns County | $22,395/yr |
| 2 | Anoka County | $20,280/yr |
| 3 | Carver County | $20,280/yr |
| 4 | Dakota County | $20,280/yr |
| 5 | Hennepin County | $20,280/yr |
| 6 | Olmsted County | $20,280/yr |
| 7 | Ramsey County | $20,280/yr |
| 8 | Scott County | $20,280/yr |
| 9 | Washington County | $20,280/yr |
| 10 | Beltrami County | $13,260/yr |
| 11 | Lake of the Woods County | $13,260/yr |
| 12 | Martin County | $13,260/yr |
| 13 | Benton County | $12,844/yr |
| 14 | Cook County | $12,844/yr |
| 15 | Goodhue County | $12,844/yr |
| 16 | Hubbard County | $12,844/yr |
| 17 | Lake County | $12,844/yr |
| 18 | Mille Lacs County | $12,844/yr |
| 19 | Rice County | $12,844/yr |
| 20 | Wright County | $12,844/yr |
| 21 | Chisago County | $12,203/yr |
| 22 | Isanti County | $12,203/yr |
| 23 | Sherburne County | $12,203/yr |
| 24 | Steele County | $12,203/yr |
| 25 | Clearwater County | $11,388/yr |
| 26 | Houston County | $11,388/yr |
| 27 | Itasca County | $11,388/yr |
| 28 | Kanabec County | $11,388/yr |
| 29 | Koochiching County | $11,388/yr |
| 30 | Lincoln County | $11,388/yr |
| 31 | Lyon County | $11,388/yr |
| 32 | Marshall County | $11,388/yr |
| 33 | Nicollet County | $11,388/yr |
| 34 | Nobles County | $11,388/yr |
| 35 | Norman County | $11,388/yr |
| 36 | Otter Tail County | $11,388/yr |
| 37 | Pennington County | $11,388/yr |
| 38 | Polk County | $11,388/yr |
| 39 | Waseca County | $11,388/yr |
| 40 | Becker County | $10,972/yr |
| 41 | Blue Earth County | $10,972/yr |
| 42 | Carlton County | $10,972/yr |
| 43 | Clay County | $10,972/yr |
| 44 | Crow Wing County | $10,972/yr |
| 45 | Dodge County | $10,972/yr |
| 46 | Douglas County | $10,972/yr |
| 47 | Freeborn County | $10,972/yr |
| 48 | Grant County | $10,972/yr |
| 49 | Kandiyohi County | $10,972/yr |
| 50 | McLeod County | $10,972/yr |
Steep ceiling gap inside Minnesota
Signature read: the #1 county sits 91% above the Minnesota infant average — a steep in-state ceiling gap on this NDCP list. Stearns County posts $22,395/year — 91% over the $11,722 state average — with toddler $19,850 and preschool $17,507.
All 50 priced Minnesota counties on this board are sorted by center infant price, highest first (NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Steep-gap board: counties sorted by NDCP center infant cost (2022); ceiling vs $11,722/year Minnesota average.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Minnesota costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.