๐Ÿ‘ถ

Childcare Cost in St. Paul, MN

By Sarah Chen ยท Reviewed by James Okafor ยท Updated May 2026
ANNUAL AVG
$16,000
MONTHLY
$1,333
VS NATIONAL
0%
COST INDEX
100

Direct Answer

Childcare Cost in St. Paul, MN averages approximately $16,000/year ($1,333/month) โ€” at the US national average of $16,000. Typical range: $10,400โ€“$23,200 depending on household and provider.

Childcare Cost Range in St. Paul

Budget-Conscious
$10,400/yr
~$867/mo ยท 35% below average
Typical
$16,000/yr
~$1,333/mo ยท what most households spend
Premium
$23,200/yr
~$1,933/mo ยท 45% above average

How St. Paul Compares

St. Paul's childcare cost runs $0 less per year than the US national average. With a cost-of-living index of 100, St. Paul is positioned in the middle of US cost rankings, with childcare cost tracking close to national pricing.

Childcare Cost in Top US Cities (Annual)

CityCost IndexAnnual Avgvs. National
St. Paul, MN This page100$16,0000%
New York, NY187$32,704+104%
Los Angeles, CA166$28,672+79%
Chicago, IL107$17,344+8%
Houston, TX96$15,232-5%
Phoenix, AZ103$16,576+4%
View all 300+ cities ranked by childcare cost โ†’

How to Save on Childcare Cost in St. Paul

1

Shop providers annually โ€” childcare cost pricing in St. Paul varies meaningfully between vendors; getting 3 quotes typically saves 10-25%.

2

Consider neighboring zip codes โ€” even within MN, childcare cost can vary substantially by area.

3

Time purchases strategically โ€” off-peak periods see lower demand and better pricing for childcare cost.

4

Bundle services where possible โ€” many providers in St. Paul discount combined services 10-20%.

5

Use city-specific assistance programs โ€” St. Paul and MN may offer income-based reductions for childcare cost; check with local consumer-affairs offices.

Other Costs in St. Paul

See how other major expenses look in St. Paul, MN.

See the full St. Paul cost-of-living profile โ†’

St. Paul Childcare Cost โ€” FAQ

What is the average childcare cost in St. Paul, MN?

The average childcare cost in St. Paul, MN is approximately $16,000 per year ($1,333/month), based on a cost-of-living index of 100 applied to the national baseline of $16,000.

Is childcare cost expensive in St. Paul?

Childcare Cost in St. Paul runs close to the US national average, with a cost-of-living index of 100. The typical cost is within a few percent of the national figure.

How much does childcare cost cost per month in St. Paul?

Monthly childcare cost in St. Paul averages about $1,333. Households typically see $867โ€“$1,933 per month depending on size, provider choice, and lifestyle.

What drives childcare cost differences between cities?

Childcare Cost pricing tracks local labor markets, commercial real-estate costs, and regulatory environments. Cities with higher overall cost-of-living indices (like 100 for St. Paul) systematically see higher service prices. Local competition, climate, and demand-supply balance also play significant roles.