Childcare Cost in Stearns County, MN
Infant center-based childcare in Stearns County, MN costs $431 per week ($22,395 per year), based on DOL data. Family-based infant care is $143 per week ($7,453 per year). With a median household income of $73,105, the childcare burden index is 30.6% of income. The national median weekly infant center care cost is $174 for comparison.
Cost by Care Type
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Family/Wk |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $431 | $143 |
| Toddler (1-2) | $382 | $132 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $337 | $132 |
| School-Age (6+) | $249 | $127 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $73,105 |
| Burden Index | 30.6% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Stearns County compare?
At $431/wk for infant center care, Stearns County runs 148% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 30.6% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Stearns County runs $143/wk for infants — about 67% less than center-based care, or $14,942 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $249/wk (center) or $127/wk (family).
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.