Daycare Cost: Denver vs Las Vegas (2026)
Las Vegas infant center care runs $1050/month — $950/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $11,400/year per child.
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Las Vegas, NV
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Denver vs Las Vegas — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Denver | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,000/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,750/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,500/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,250/mo | $650/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,500/mo | $810/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,000/mo | $2,420/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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
24.6%
of $97k median income
Las Vegas
16.0%
of $79k 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.
Denver, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Las Vegas, NV — 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 or Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $950/month gap. Las Vegas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Las Vegas?
Infant center-based care in Las Vegas 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. Denver is $770 above the national average, and Las Vegas is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Denver · Daycare in Las Vegas · All city comparisons