Daycare Cost: Denver vs Oklahoma City (2026)
Oklahoma City infant center care runs $680/month — $1320/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $15,840/year per child.
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Oklahoma City, OK
$680
infant/month
-$550 vs national avg
Denver vs Oklahoma City — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Denver | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,000/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,750/mo | $590/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,500/mo | $500/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,250/mo | $420/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,500/mo | $520/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,000/mo | $1,710/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Oklahoma City costs $8,160/year vs Denver's $24,000/year.
Monthly savings
$1,320
Annual savings
$15,840
2-year infant care
$31,680
% difference
194%
Savings = Denver cost minus Oklahoma City 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
Oklahoma City
12.2%
of $67k 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 →Oklahoma City, OK — 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 Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is cheaper for infant center-based care at $680/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $1320/month gap. Oklahoma City wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Oklahoma City?
Infant center-based care in Oklahoma City runs $1320/month less than in Denver. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $31,680 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 Oklahoma City is $550 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Denver · Daycare in Oklahoma City · All city comparisons