Daycare Cost: Atlanta vs Denver (2026)
Atlanta infant center care runs $1080/month — $920/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $11,040/year per child.
Atlanta, GA
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Atlanta vs Denver — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Atlanta | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo ✓ | $2,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo ✓ | $1,750/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| School Age | $670/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/mo ✓ | $4,000/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Atlanta costs $12,960/year vs Denver's $24,000/year.
Monthly savings
$920
Annual savings
$11,040
2-year infant care
$22,080
% difference
85%
Savings = Denver cost minus Atlanta cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Atlanta
16.4%
of $79k median income
Denver
24.6%
of $97k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Atlanta, GA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Denver, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Atlanta or Denver?
Atlanta is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $920/month gap. Atlanta wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Atlanta?
Infant center-based care in Atlanta runs $920/month less than in Denver. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $22,080 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Atlanta is $150 below the national average, and Denver is $770 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Atlanta · Daycare in Denver · All city comparisons