Daycare Cost: North Carolina vs Georgia (2026)
Georgia infant center care runs $900/month — $50/month less than North Carolina's $950/month. That's $600/year per child.
North Carolina
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Georgia
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
North Carolina vs Georgia — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | North Carolina | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $840/mo | $800/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $720/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $590/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $740/mo | $700/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo | $2,200/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Georgia costs $10,800/year vs North Carolina's $11,400/year.
Monthly savings
$50
Annual savings
$600
2-year infant care
$1,200
% difference
6%
Savings = North Carolina cost minus Georgia cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
North Carolina (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,400/mo
Max infant subsidy: $680/mo
Covers ~72% of average infant rate
Georgia (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,200/mo
Max infant subsidy: $650/mo
Covers ~72% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in North Carolina or Georgia?
Georgia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $950/month in North Carolina — a $50/month gap. Georgia wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from North Carolina to Georgia?
Infant center-based care in Georgia runs $50/month less than in North Carolina. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,200 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Georgia can cost as much as suburbs in North Carolina.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. North Carolina is $280 below the national average, and Georgia is $330 below.
Do costs vary a lot within each state?
Yes — significantly. Major metro areas typically run 20–35% above the statewide average shown here. For example, San Francisco costs nearly double the California state average. Use the city comparison tool to compare specific metro areas.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in North Carolina · Daycare in Georgia · All state comparisons · Compare cities