Childcare Costs in Minnesota vs Salary (2026)
Full-time infant daycare in Minnesota runs about $1,675 a month — $20,100 a year, or 22.8% of the $88,000 median household income, and 41% above the 50-state average. Here is what that means for going back to work.
Average daycare cost in Minnesota
- Per month
- $1,675
- Per week
- $387
- Per year
- $20,100
Full-time infant care. Preschool-age care is about $1,295 a month.
Next steps
Minnesota childcare and cost-of-living figures
| Figure | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Infant daycare (0–2), full time | $1,675 | $20,100 |
| Four-year-old care, full time | $1,295 | $15,540 |
| Median 2-bedroom rent | $1,400 | $16,800 |
| Commute for the returning parent | $220 | $2,640 |
| Median household income | $7,333 | $88,000 |
Childcare prices are the published 2023 state averages (Minnesota: $20,129 a year for infant care, $15,544 for a 4-year-old); income and rent are 2026 estimates. Childcare: Child Care Aware of America — Price of Care: 2023 Affordability Analysis (Table I). Income: U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey. Housing: HUD Fair Market Rents. Full methodology and dataset.
What salary do you need to break even in Minnesota?
One child in care
$23,000
Gross salary needed to cover $22,740 of childcare and commuting after tax.
Two children in care
$39,500
Gross salary needed to cover $38,280 for an infant plus a four-year-old, and the commute.
Childcare plus rent consumes roughly 41.9% of the median Minnesota household income, far above the 7% the federal government calls affordable. Below the break-even line a second income is close to unpaid work in cash terms — the second-earner trap — though pension contributions and future wage growth still argue for staying in work (see the opportunity cost of staying home).
Test your own salary against these figures with the two-income break-even calculator or see what survives your nursery bill with the childcare vs salary calculator.
Run your own Minnesota numbers
Load the Minnesota averages into the calculator — $1,675 of childcare, $1,400 of rent and a $88,000 household income — then replace them with your real salary and daycare quote.
Use these Minnesota numbersCity-level childcare costs in Minnesota
Prices inside Minnesota vary widely — metro centers typically run well above the statewide figure.
- Childcare costs in Minneapolis, MN — $1,915/mo infant care
Minnesota childcare cost FAQs
How much does daycare cost in Minnesota?
Full-time infant daycare in Minnesota averages about $1,675 a month ($20,100 a year) in 2026 — about 41% above the 50-state average of $1,188. Care for a four-year-old is cheaper, around $1,295 a month, because required staff-to-child ratios loosen.
What salary do you need to break even on childcare in Minnesota?
A returning parent in Minnesota needs roughly $23,000 gross to cover one infant in full-time care plus commuting after federal tax. With two children in care the break-even rises to about $39,500.
What percentage of income goes to childcare in Minnesota?
One infant in full-time care eats about 22.8% of the $88,000 median Minnesota household income. Add the $1,400 median two-bedroom rent and childcare plus housing take roughly 41.9% of gross income — far above the 7% federal affordability benchmark.
Is childcare cheaper in Minnesota than the rest of the US?
At $1,675 a month for infant care, Minnesota is about 41% above the 50-state average of $1,188. Prices inside the state still vary widely: metro centers typically run 20–40% above rural counties.
States with similar childcare prices
- Childcare costs in Maryland — $1,660/mo
- Childcare costs in Washington — $1,700/mo
- Childcare costs in New Jersey — $1,635/mo
- Childcare costs in California — $1,630/mo
- Childcare costs in Colorado — $1,630/mo
- Childcare costs in New York — $1,630/mo
All 50 states · Childcare costs by city · US childcare calculator