Daycare Cost: Memphis vs Kansas City (2026)
Memphis infant center care runs $780/month — $170/month less than Kansas City's $950/month. That's $2,040/year per child.
Memphis, TN
$780
infant/month
-$450 vs national avg
Kansas City, MO
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Memphis vs Kansas City — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Memphis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $690/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $590/mo ✓ | $710/mo |
| School Age | $490/mo ✓ | $590/mo |
| Infant — Home | $610/mo ✓ | $740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,930/mo ✓ | $2,310/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 Kansas City's $11,400/year.
Monthly savings
$170
Annual savings
$2,040
2-year infant care
$4,080
% difference
22%
Savings = Kansas City 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.
Memphis
13.1%
of $71k median income
Kansas City
15.5%
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.
Memphis, TN — CCDF
Check eligibility →Kansas City, MO — 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 Memphis or Kansas City?
Memphis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $780/month, vs. $950/month in Kansas City — a $170/month gap. Memphis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Kansas City to Memphis?
Infant center-based care in Memphis runs $170/month less than in Kansas City. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,080 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. Memphis is $450 below the national average, and Kansas City is $280 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Memphis · Daycare in Kansas City · All city comparisons