Daycare Cost: Colorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZ (2026)
Phoenix, AZ infant center care runs $1050/month — $100/month less than Colorado Springs, CO's $1150/month. That's $1,200/year per child.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO
$1150
infant/month
-$80 vs national avg
Phoenix, AZ, AZ
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Colorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZ — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Colorado Springs, CO | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,150/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,010/mo | $925/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $865/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $725/mo | $660/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $910/mo | $830/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,500/mo | $2,300/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Phoenix, AZ costs $12,600/year vs Colorado Springs, CO's $13,800/year.
Monthly savings
$100
Annual savings
$1,200
2-year infant care
$2,400
% difference
10%
Savings = Colorado Springs, CO cost minus Phoenix, AZ 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.
Colorado Springs, CO
15.8%
of $88k median income
Phoenix, AZ
17.4%
of $73k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Phoenix, AZ, AZ — 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 Colorado Springs, CO or Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix, AZ is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $1150/month in Colorado Springs, CO — a $100/month gap. Phoenix, AZ wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Phoenix, AZ?
Infant center-based care in Phoenix, AZ runs $100/month less than in Colorado Springs, CO. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,400 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. Colorado Springs, CO is $80 below the national average, and Phoenix, AZ is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Colorado Springs, CO · Daycare in Phoenix, AZ · All city comparisons