Daycare Cost: Columbus vs Denver (2026)
Columbus infant center care runs $1050/month — $950/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $11,400/year per child.
Columbus, OH
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Columbus vs Denver — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Columbus | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $2,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $1,750/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| School Age | $660/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/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, Columbus costs $12,600/year vs Denver's $24,000/year.
Monthly savings
$950
Annual savings
$11,400
2-year infant care
$22,800
% difference
90%
Savings = Denver cost minus Columbus 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.
Columbus
17.0%
of $74k 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.
Columbus, OH — 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 Columbus or Denver?
Columbus is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $950/month gap. Columbus wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Columbus?
Infant center-based care in Columbus runs $950/month less than in Denver. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $22,800 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. Columbus is $180 below the national average, and Denver is $770 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Columbus · Daycare in Denver · All city comparisons