How Much Does Daycare Cost in Palm Bay, FL, FL?
Infant center-based care averages $920/month in Palm Bay, FL. 25% below national avg. Toddler care runs $800/month, preschool $690/month.
Palm Bay, FL average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$920
25% below national avg
Toddler (center)
$800
$9,600/year
Preschool (center)
$690
$8,280/year
School Age
$570
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$720
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,210
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Palm Bay, FL vs. Florida vs. National Average
How Palm Bay, FL compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Palm Bay, FL |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $920/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $800/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $690/mo |
| School Age — Center | $570/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $720/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,210/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Palm Bay, FL
Full-time infant center care in Palm Bay, FL costs $11,040/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Palm Bay, FL families pay $3,720 less per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$11,040
Toddler / year
$9,600
Preschool / year
$8,280
School Age / year
$6,840
Childcare Subsidies in Florida
Florida participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,500/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $700/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Palm Bay, FL
How much does daycare cost in Palm Bay, FL?
Infant center-based daycare in Palm Bay, FL averages $920/month in 2026. That's $310 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.
How does Palm Bay, FL compare to the Florida state average?
Palm Bay, FL infant daycare runs about $80/month (8%) below the Florida statewide average of $1000/month. See all daycare costs in Florida.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Palm Bay, FL?
Yes. In Palm Bay, FL: infant care ($920/month) → toddler care ($800/month, 13% drop) → preschool ($690/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($570/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Palm Bay, FL?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Palm Bay, FL averages $2,210/month versus $920/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Florida daycare costs
See the full Florida statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Florida 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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