How Much Does Daycare Cost in Knoxville, TN, TN?
Infant center-based care averages $820/month in Knoxville, TN. 33% below national avg. Toddler care runs $720/month, preschool $615/month.
Knoxville, TN average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$820
33% below national avg
Toddler (center)
$720
$8,640/year
Preschool (center)
$615
$7,380/year
School Age
$515
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$650
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$1,830
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Knoxville, TN vs. Tennessee vs. National Average
How Knoxville, TN compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $820/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $720/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $615/mo |
| School Age — Center | $515/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $650/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,830/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Knoxville, TN
Full-time infant center care in Knoxville, TN costs $9,840/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Knoxville, TN families pay $4,920 less per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$9,840
Toddler / year
$8,640
Preschool / year
$7,380
School Age / year
$6,180
Childcare Subsidies in Tennessee
Tennessee participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,100/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $630/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Knoxville, TN
How much does daycare cost in Knoxville, TN?
Infant center-based daycare in Knoxville, TN averages $820/month in 2026. That's $410 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.
How does Knoxville, TN compare to the Tennessee state average?
Knoxville, TN infant daycare runs about $30/month (4%) below the Tennessee statewide average of $850/month. See all daycare costs in Tennessee.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Knoxville, TN?
Yes. In Knoxville, TN: infant care ($820/month) → toddler care ($720/month, 12% drop) → preschool ($615/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($515/month, 37% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Knoxville, TN?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Knoxville, TN averages $1,830/month versus $820/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Tennessee daycare costs
See the full Tennessee statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Tennessee state costs →Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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