Daycare Cost: Nashville vs Atlanta (2026)
Nashville infant center care runs $980/month — $100/month less than Atlanta's $1080/month. That's $1,200/year per child.
Nashville, TN
$980
infant/month
-$250 vs national avg
Atlanta, GA
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Nashville vs Atlanta — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Nashville | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $980/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo ✓ | $960/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $740/mo ✓ | $820/mo |
| School Age | $610/mo ✓ | $670/mo |
| Infant — Home | $760/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo ✓ | $2,640/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Nashville costs $11,760/year vs Atlanta's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$100
Annual savings
$1,200
2-year infant care
$2,400
% difference
10%
Savings = Atlanta cost minus Nashville cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Nashville or Atlanta?
Nashville is cheaper for infant center-based care at $980/month, vs. $1080/month in Atlanta — a $100/month gap. Nashville wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Atlanta to Nashville?
Infant center-based care in Nashville runs $100/month less than in Atlanta. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,400 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. Nashville is $250 below the national average, and Atlanta is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Nashville · Daycare in Atlanta · All city comparisons