Daycare Cost: Philadelphia vs Denver (2026)
Philadelphia infant center care runs $1320/month — $680/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $8,160/year per child.
Philadelphia, PA
$1320
infant/month
+$90 vs national avg
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Philadelphia vs Denver — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Philadelphia | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,320/mo ✓ | $2,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,170/mo ✓ | $1,750/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $990/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| School Age | $830/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,020/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,860/mo ✓ | $4,000/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Philadelphia costs $15,840/year vs Denver's $24,000/year.
Monthly savings
$680
Annual savings
$8,160
2-year infant care
$16,320
% difference
52%
Savings = Denver cost minus Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia
19.4%
of $82k median income
Denver
24.6%
of $97k 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.
Philadelphia, PA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Denver, CO — 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 Philadelphia or Denver?
Philadelphia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1320/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $680/month gap. Philadelphia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Philadelphia?
Infant center-based care in Philadelphia runs $680/month less than in Denver. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $16,320 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. Philadelphia is $90 above the national average, and Denver is $770 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Philadelphia · Daycare in Denver · All city comparisons