ChildcareCost

Childcare Cost in Marathon County, WI

Infant center-based childcare in Marathon County, WI costs $236 per week ($12,272 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $175 per week ($9,100 per year). With a median household income of $73,248, the childcare burden index is 16.8% of income. The national median weekly infant center care cost is $174 for comparison.

Cost by Care Type

Age GroupCenter/WkFamily/Wk
Infant (0-1)$236$175
Toddler (1-2)$210$170
Preschool (3-5)$210$170
School-Age (6+)$185$160

Burden Index

MetricValue
Median Household Income$73,248
Burden Index16.8% (High)
National Median (Infant Center)$174/wk

How does Marathon County compare?

At $236/wk for infant center care, Marathon County runs 36% above the national median of $174/wk.

The Childcare Burden Index here is 16.8% of median household income — a high burden, more than double the 7% HHS affordability threshold.

For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Marathon County runs $175/wk for infants — about 26% less than center-based care, or $3,172 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $185/wk (center) or $160/wk (family).

View full Marathon County childcare data →See all WI county rankings →Most expensive childcare areas →Try the affordability calculator →

More about Marathon County

This answer pulls from the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, the authoritative federal source for U.S. childcare prices. The headline number above is the direct answer; what follows is the additional context most readers need to use the answer for a real decision rather than just a fact lookup.

For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.