Daycare Cost: Las Vegas vs Tucson (2026)
Tucson infant center care runs $900/month — $150/month less than Las Vegas's $1050/month. That's $1,800/year per child.
Las Vegas, NV
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Tucson, AZ
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Las Vegas vs Tucson — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Las Vegas | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $650/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tucson costs $10,800/year vs Las Vegas's $12,600/year.
Monthly savings
$150
Annual savings
$1,800
2-year infant care
$3,600
% difference
17%
Savings = Las Vegas cost minus Tucson 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.
Las Vegas
16.0%
of $79k median income
Tucson
13.3%
of $81k 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.
Las Vegas, NV — CCDF
Check eligibility →Tucson, AZ — 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 Las Vegas or Tucson?
Tucson is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $1050/month in Las Vegas — a $150/month gap. Tucson wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Las Vegas to Tucson?
Infant center-based care in Tucson runs $150/month less than in Las Vegas. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,600 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. Las Vegas is $180 below the national average, and Tucson is $330 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Las Vegas · Daycare in Tucson · All city comparisons