Daycare Cost: Nashville vs Milwaukee (2026)
Nashville infant center care runs $980/month — $280/month less than Milwaukee's $1260/month. That's $3,360/year per child.
Nashville, TN
$980
infant/month
-$250 vs national avg
Milwaukee, WI
$1260
infant/month
+$30 vs national avg
Nashville vs Milwaukee — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Nashville | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $980/mo ✓ | $1,260/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo ✓ | $1,110/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $740/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| School Age | $610/mo ✓ | $790/mo |
| Infant — Home | $760/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo ✓ | $2,730/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 Milwaukee's $15,120/year.
Monthly savings
$280
Annual savings
$3,360
2-year infant care
$6,720
% difference
29%
Savings = Milwaukee cost minus Nashville 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.
Nashville
16.5%
of $71k median income
Milwaukee
19.3%
of $78k 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.
Nashville, TN — CCDF
Check eligibility →Milwaukee, WI — 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 Nashville or Milwaukee?
Nashville is cheaper for infant center-based care at $980/month, vs. $1260/month in Milwaukee — a $280/month gap. Nashville wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Milwaukee to Nashville?
Infant center-based care in Nashville runs $280/month less than in Milwaukee. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,720 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 Milwaukee is $30 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Nashville · Daycare in Milwaukee · All city comparisons