DaycareCalc

Nanny vs Daycare in Aurora, CO: Cost Calculator 2026

Daycare: $1,550/month. Full-time nanny: $3,472/month (with employer taxes). That's $1,922/month more for one child. Nanny cost here is 15% above national avg.

Daycare Center
$1,550
per month, infant rate
$18,600/year
Full-Time Nanny
$3,472
per month, with employer taxes
$41,664/year
Daycare saves $1,922/month for one child
That's $23,064/year. With two children, the gap closes — and a nanny share can close it further.

The Two-Child Breakeven in Aurora, CO

1 child — daycare $1,550/mo
1 child — nanny (with taxes) $3,472/mo
2 children — daycare (2 spots) $3,100/mo
2 children — nanny (same cost) $3,819/mo
3 children — daycare (3 spots) $4,650/mo
3 children — nanny $3,993/mo

Nanny rates assume 10–15% increase for 2–3 children. Daycare per child at infant pricing.

Calculator: Your Cost in Aurora, CO

Daycare Total
$1,550
per month
Nanny Total
$3,472
per month
Daycare saves $1,922/month for 1 infant

Nanny in Aurora, CO

  • ✓ Flexible hours
  • ✓ One-on-one care at home
  • ✓ No center sick-day closures
  • ✗ No backup if nanny is sick
  • ✗ You're the employer (taxes)
  • ✗ Less peer socialization
  • ✗ Higher cost for 1 child

Daycare in Aurora, CO

  • ✓ Lower cost per child
  • ✓ Socialization
  • ✓ Licensed and regulated
  • ✓ Structured curriculum
  • ✗ Fixed hours (7am–6pm)
  • ✗ Waitlists are common
  • ✗ Closed holidays and sick days

Local Context: Aurora, CO

Denver suburb rates. Military (Buckley SFB) and healthcare (UCHealth) families.

  • • Buckley Space Force Base military families
  • • UCHealth/Children's Hospital corridor
  • • CO minimum wage $14.42/hr
  • • Denver metro market access
  • • Diverse immigrant nanny community
Employer taxes: Hiring a nanny makes you a household employer. You owe employer Social Security and Medicare (7.65%), federal unemployment (0.6% on first $7K/year), and workers' comp insurance ($400–$900/year). Budget 20–25% above gross wages. A payroll service like GTM or HomePay ($500–$800/year) handles the filings.

Compare Other Cities

Colorado Springs, CO
Nanny $3,248 · Daycare $1,500/mo
Denver, CO
Nanny $3,808 · Daycare $1,650/mo
Tucson, AZ
Nanny $2,464 · Daycare $950/mo
Minneapolis, MN
Nanny $3,584 · Daycare $1,450/mo
San Antonio, TX
Nanny $2,240 · Daycare $900/mo
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Nanny vs Daycare in Aurora, CO: What the Numbers Mean

The gap between a nanny and daycare in Aurora, CO is $1,922/month for one child — that's $23,064/year. For most families with one child under 3, daycare is the more affordable option here.

That math shifts with a second child. Two daycare spots in Aurora, CO run $3,100/month, while one nanny handling both children costs $3,819/month. The gap drops to $-719/month — and the daily convenience of a nanny who comes to your home starts to compete with the cost difference.

The Nanny Share Option in Aurora, CO

A nanny share splits one nanny's cost between two families. Each pays roughly $2,083/month — below the cost of a single daycare spot. The nanny earns more total, which makes quality candidates more willing to take on a share arrangement. Finding the right partner takes work, but in a metro like Aurora, CO, online parent communities and local Facebook groups regularly list share opportunities.

Dependent Care FSA: $2,000/Year Back

Both daycare and nanny costs qualify for a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). You can set aside up to $5,000/year pre-tax. At a 22% tax bracket, that's $1,100/year back. The FSA works whether you use daycare or a nanny — but for the nanny option, you must pay them legally (W-2, not 1099) or the deduction gets disqualified.

Nanny vs Daycare in Aurora, CO: Common Questions