Center-based infant care in Denver County cost $430 a week in 2022, against $223 a week at licensed family child care homes (NDCP). In August 2026 dollars that is $526 against $273, a gap of $253 a week or $13,145 a year. In New York’s Kings County the gap is only $61 a week ($3,178 a year). Home-based care is cheaper for infants in 333 of 360 metros’ principal counties, but how much cheaper varies widely. Compare both for your county in the childcare cost calculator.
Prices are DOL National Database of Childcare Prices county medians for 2022. They are converted to August 2026 dollars with the BLS CPI for day care and preschool (factor 1.2224). The NDCP weekly price is in parentheses.
Center vs. home: infant care (0–23 months)
| Metro (county) | Center, 2026 $ / wk | Home, 2026 $ / wk | Weekly saving with home | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston (Suffolk) | $721 ($590) | $391 ($320) | $330 | $17,162 |
| San Francisco | $742 ($607) | $483 ($395) | $258 | $13,428 |
| Denver | $526 ($430) | $273 ($223) | $253 | $13,145 |
| Minneapolis (Hennepin) | $477 ($390) | $251 ($205) | $226 | $11,759 |
| Seattle (King) | $585 ($478) | $424 ($347) | $161 | $8,361 |
| Phoenix (Maricopa) | $330 ($270) | $220 ($180) | $110 | $5,721 |
| Washington, DC | $599 ($490) | $489 ($400) | $110 | $5,721 |
| Chicago (Cook) | $340 ($278) | $254 ($208) | $86 | $4,485 |
| Nashville (Davidson) | $259 ($212) | $189 ($155) | $69 | $3,602 |
| New York (Kings) | $367 ($300) | $306 ($250) | $61 | $3,178 |
| Miami (Miami-Dade) | $244 ($200) | $183 ($150) | $61 | $3,178 |
| Austin (Travis) | $280 ($229) | $252 ($206) | $28 | $1,462 |
| Dallas | $237 ($194) | $210 ($172) | $27 | $1,398 |
| Los Angeles | $314 ($257) | $348 ($284) | −$33 | −$1,741 |
In Los Angeles County, licensed homes charged more than centers for infants in 2022. Detroit’s Wayne County is similar ($223 home against $217 center).
Center vs. home: preschool (36–54 months)
| Metro | Center, 2026 $ / wk | Home, 2026 $ / wk | Weekly saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $406 ($332) | $268 ($219) | $138 |
| Boston | $428 ($350) | $306 ($250) | $122 |
| Seattle | $476 ($390) | $379 ($310) | $98 |
| San Francisco | $583 ($477) | $501 ($410) | $82 |
| New York | $317 ($259) | $244 ($200) | $72 |
| Phoenix | $257 ($210) | $210 ($171) | $47 |
| Nashville | $179 ($146) | $157 ($128) | $22 |
| Dallas | $214 ($175) | $196 ($160) | $18 |
| Austin | $255 ($209) | $237 ($194) | $18 |
| Miami | $189 ($155) | $171 ($140) | $18 |
| Chicago | $231 ($189) | $215 ($176) | $16 |
| Los Angeles | $275 ($225) | $271 ($222) | $4 |
For preschoolers, home care was cheaper in 293 of 360 metros.
How big is the gap usually?
Across 360 metros with both infant prices, centers charged a median of 30% more than licensed homes. A quarter of metros showed a gap of 11% or less, and a quarter showed 43% or more. The large Texas metros sit near the low end (about 11%–13%). Denver (93%), Boston (84%) and Minneapolis (90%) sit far above it.
Centers and homes have different cost structures. Centers lease dedicated space and staff separate rooms by age. Homes run in the provider’s residence with a small mixed-age group. State licensing rules for each type also differ. The NDCP reports prices only, not the reasons behind them, so treat any one county’s gap as a local market fact.
Quality and fit
The NDCP prices are for licensed providers of both types. Licensing rules, including which small home providers must be licensed, differ by state. Common differences:
- Centers: several staff per room, coverage when a teacher is out, more same-age peers, often longer hours.
- Family child care homes: a small mixed-age group, one consistent caregiver, sometimes more flexible schedules, and closures when the provider is sick or on vacation.
Neither is better across the board. Visit, ask about ratios and backup care, and check the state’s inspection reports.
Two children: where the choice adds up
A Denver family with an infant and a preschooler, in 2026 dollars:
- Center: $526 + $406 = $931 a week, $48,433 a year
- Home: $273 + $268 = $541 a week, $28,112 a year
- Difference: $20,322 a year
For the standard $110,000 couple on MoveMath’s metro pages, that difference is close to a fifth of gross income. The cost-of-living calculator lets you choose center or home care for the whole budget.
What to ask any provider
- Is the provider licensed, and when was the last state inspection?
- How many children per adult in your child’s age group?
- What hours are covered, and what happens when the caregiver is sick?
- What is the daily routine, and how are mixed ages handled?
- Will they give you the taxpayer ID you need to claim the credit?
See Denver cost of living and San Francisco cost of living for full budgets with childcare. Compare center and home costs for your county in the childcare cost calculator.