Daycare Cost: Tampa vs Orlando (2026)
Tampa infant center care runs $1050/month — $30/month less than Orlando's $1080/month. That's $360/year per child.
Tampa, FL
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Orlando, FL
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Tampa vs Orlando — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Tampa | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $910/mo ✓ | $940/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $810/mo |
| School Age | $650/mo ✓ | $670/mo |
| Infant — Home | $820/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,520/mo ✓ | $2,590/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tampa costs $12,600/year vs Orlando's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$30
Annual savings
$360
2-year infant care
$720
% difference
3%
Savings = Orlando cost minus Tampa cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Tampa or Orlando?
Tampa is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $1080/month in Orlando — a $30/month gap. Tampa wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Orlando to Tampa?
Infant center-based care in Tampa runs $30/month less than in Orlando. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $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. Tampa is $180 below the national average, and Orlando is $150 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Tampa · Daycare in Orlando · All city comparisons