Daycare Cost: Kansas City vs Raleigh (2026)
Kansas City infant center care runs $950/month — $140/month less than Raleigh's $1090/month. That's $1,680/year per child.
Kansas City, MO
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Raleigh, NC
$1090
infant/month
-$140 vs national avg
Kansas City vs Raleigh — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Kansas City | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo ✓ | $1,090/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $840/mo ✓ | $970/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $710/mo ✓ | $830/mo |
| School Age | $590/mo ✓ | $680/mo |
| Infant — Home | $740/mo ✓ | $850/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,310/mo ✓ | $2,530/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Kansas City costs $11,400/year vs Raleigh's $13,080/year.
Monthly savings
$140
Annual savings
$1,680
2-year infant care
$3,360
% difference
15%
Savings = Raleigh cost minus Kansas 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.
Kansas City
15.5%
of $74k median income
Raleigh
17.7%
of $74k 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.
Kansas City, MO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Raleigh, NC — 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 Kansas City or Raleigh?
Kansas City is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $1090/month in Raleigh — a $140/month gap. Kansas City wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Raleigh to Kansas City?
Infant center-based care in Kansas City runs $140/month less than in Raleigh. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,360 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. Kansas City is $280 below the national average, and Raleigh is $140 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Kansas City · Daycare in Raleigh · All city comparisons