Daycare Cost: Raleigh vs Tucson (2026)
Tucson infant center care runs $900/month — $190/month less than Raleigh's $1090/month. That's $2,280/year per child.
Raleigh, NC
$1090
infant/month
-$140 vs national avg
Tucson, AZ
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Raleigh vs Tucson — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Raleigh | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,090/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $970/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $830/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $680/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $850/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tucson costs $10,800/year vs Raleigh's $13,080/year.
Monthly savings
$190
Annual savings
$2,280
2-year infant care
$4,560
% difference
21%
Savings = Raleigh cost minus Tucson 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.
Raleigh
17.7%
of $74k median income
Tucson
13.3%
of $81k 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.
Raleigh, NC — CCDF
Check eligibility →Tucson, AZ — 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 Raleigh or Tucson?
Tucson is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $1090/month in Raleigh — a $190/month gap. Tucson wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Raleigh to Tucson?
Infant center-based care in Tucson runs $190/month less than in Raleigh. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,560 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. Raleigh is $140 below the national average, and Tucson is $330 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Raleigh · Daycare in Tucson · All city comparisons