Daycare Cost: Denver, CO vs Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
Colorado Springs, CO infant center care runs $1150/month — $290/month less than Denver, CO's $1440/month. That's $3,480/year per child.
Denver, CO, CO
$1440
infant/month
+$210 vs national avg
Colorado Springs, CO, CO
$1150
infant/month
-$80 vs national avg
Denver, CO vs Colorado Springs, CO — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Denver, CO | Colorado Springs, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,440/mo | $1,150/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,265/mo | $1,010/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,080/mo | $865/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $905/mo | $725/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,140/mo | $910/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,100/mo | $2,500/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Colorado Springs, CO costs $13,800/year vs Denver, CO's $17,280/year.
Monthly savings
$290
Annual savings
$3,480
2-year infant care
$6,960
% difference
25%
Savings = Denver, CO cost minus Colorado Springs, CO 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.
Denver, CO
19.7%
of $88k median income
Colorado Springs, CO
15.8%
of $88k 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.
Denver, CO, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Colorado Springs, CO, 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 Denver, CO or Colorado Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1150/month, vs. $1440/month in Denver, CO — a $290/month gap. Colorado Springs, CO wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO?
Infant center-based care in Colorado Springs, CO runs $290/month less than in Denver, CO. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,960 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. Denver, CO is $210 above the national average, and Colorado Springs, CO is $80 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Denver, CO · Daycare in Colorado Springs, CO · All city comparisons