How much childcare costs in Wisconsin
Center-based infant care in Wisconsin costs about $16,340 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,362 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $13,368, 14.6% of the median family income and 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Wisconsin's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $13,368 | $16,340 | $10,054 | $12,290 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $11,904 | $14,551 | $9,372 | $11,456 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $11,904 | $14,551 | $9,372 | $11,456 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $10,054 a year for an infant in Wisconsin (2022 data): $3,314, or 25% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Wisconsin
Brown County, Dane County and 8 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Wisconsin, $15,236 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Bayfield County and 24 other counties the lowest, $9,464: a gap of $5,772 a year (61% higher).
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 countiesBrown County, Dane County, Eau Claire County, Kenosha County, La Crosse County, Milwaukee County, Racine County, Rock County, Waukesha County, Winnebago County | $15,236 | $13,455 | $13,455 | $11,440 | $77,644 to $126,010 | 12.1 to 19.6% |
14 countiesCalumet County, Douglas County, Fond du Lac County, Jefferson County, Manitowoc County, Marathon County, Outagamie County, Ozaukee County, Portage County, Sauk County, Sheboygan County, Walworth County, Washington County, Wood County | $12,272 | $10,920 | $10,920 | $9,100 | $79,057 to $117,113 | 10.5 to 15.5% |
22 countiesAshland County, Barron County, Chippewa County, Columbia County, Crawford County, Dodge County, Door County, Dunn County, Grant County, Green County, Green Lake County, Iron County, Jackson County, Langlade County, Lincoln County, Marinette County, Monroe County, Oneida County, Pierce County, Richland County, St. Croix County, Waupaca County | $10,920 | $9,880 | $9,880 | $8,060 | $71,343 to $114,534 | 9.5 to 15.3% |
26 countiesAdams County, Bayfield County, Buffalo County, Burnett County, Clark County, Florence County, Forest County, Iowa County, Juneau County, Kewaunee County, Lafayette County, Marquette County, Menominee County, Oconto County, Pepin County, Polk County, Price County, Rusk County, Sawyer County, Shawano County, Taylor County, Trempealeau County, Vernon County, Vilas County, Washburn County, Waushara County | $9,464 | $8,840 | $8,840 | $7,800 | $65,938 to $101,563 | 9.3 to 14.4% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. None of these center-based infant prices is flagged as estimated in the federal file. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Illinois$1,500/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Iowa$880/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Michigan$879/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Minnesota$1,711/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Wisconsin compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Wisconsin per month?
Center-based infant care in Wisconsin costs about $1,362 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,114 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,213 and preschool about $1,213 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,024. These are population-weighted averages across Wisconsin's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Wisconsin?
Brown County, Dane County and 8 other counties have the highest center-based infant price in Wisconsin, $15,236 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Bayfield County and 24 other counties the lowest, $9,464: a gap of $5,772 a year (61% higher).
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Wisconsin?
Center-based infant care takes about 14.6% of the median family income in Wisconsin ($13,368 against $91,700, 2022 data), 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 20 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 9.3% in Iowa County to 19.6% in Milwaukee County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Wisconsin). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)