Daycare Cost: Virginia Beach vs Tampa (2026)
Tampa infant center care runs $1050/month — $420/month less than Virginia Beach's $1470/month. That's $5,040/year per child.
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Tampa, FL
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Virginia Beach vs Tampa — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Virginia Beach | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,470/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,290/mo | $910/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,100/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $920/mo | $650/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,160/mo | $820/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,050/mo | $2,520/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 Virginia Beach's $17,640/year.
Monthly savings
$420
Annual savings
$5,040
2-year infant care
$10,080
% difference
40%
Savings = Virginia Beach cost minus Tampa 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.
Virginia Beach
18.8%
of $94k median income
Tampa
16.7%
of $75k 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.
Virginia Beach, VA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Tampa, FL — 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 Virginia Beach or Tampa?
Tampa is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $1470/month in Virginia Beach — a $420/month gap. Tampa wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Virginia Beach to Tampa?
Infant center-based care in Tampa runs $420/month less than in Virginia Beach. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,080 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. Virginia Beach is $240 above the national average, and Tampa is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Virginia Beach · Daycare in Tampa · All city comparisons