Daycare Cost: Louisville vs Memphis (2026)
Memphis infant center care runs $780/month — $20/month less than Louisville's $800/month. That's $240/year per child.
Louisville, KY
$800
infant/month
-$430 vs national avg
Memphis, TN
$780
infant/month
-$450 vs national avg
Louisville vs Memphis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Louisville | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $800/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $700/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $600/mo | $590/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $500/mo | $490/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $620/mo | $610/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,000/mo | $1,930/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Memphis costs $9,360/year vs Louisville's $9,600/year.
Monthly savings
$20
Annual savings
$240
2-year infant care
$480
% difference
3%
Savings = Louisville cost minus Memphis 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.
Louisville
14.7%
of $65k median income
Memphis
13.1%
of $71k 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.
Louisville, KY — CCDF
Check eligibility →Memphis, TN — 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 Louisville or Memphis?
Memphis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $780/month, vs. $800/month in Louisville — a $20/month gap. Memphis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Louisville to Memphis?
Infant center-based care in Memphis runs $20/month less than in Louisville. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $480 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. Louisville is $430 below the national average, and Memphis is $450 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Louisville · Daycare in Memphis · All city comparisons