Child Care Tuition Prices in Arizona 2026: County Breakdown by Age and Center Types
6 min read
Jul 16, 2026
Finances
Annual child care tuition prices across Arizona range from an average of $9,100 to $16,400, depending on location, care type, and center type. While the statewide average across all care types sits at $10,814 – toward the lower end of that range – Arizona providers should set their 2026 rates using a combination of more localized benchmarks, along with their specific care type, service differentiators, and growth strategies to remain competitive.
Pricing child care services often involves some trial and error to find the right balance between local supply and demand. However, getting your prices as close to optimal as possible from the start is critical for maintaining sustainable profitability while keeping care accessible for your target families. Arizona child care providers can use the local benchmarks below as a practical starting point when setting rates for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers – whether operating out of a commercial center or a home-based program.
Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.
How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Arizona
Child care providers should rarely, if ever, set their prices based on benchmarks alone. While benchmarks are valuable for understanding the local competitive landscape, you’ll want to consider several factors that are unique to your business and circumstances. These include your goals, staffing capabilities and limitations, service specialties, waitlist and capacity levels, marketing strategies, target audience, subsidy participation status, and other operational realities.
It also helps to think like a family when comparing your services to local competitors. How do parents perceive your pricing and value offering relative to other options? Consider interviewing both current families and local prospective families to better understand what they’re looking for and where market gaps exist. This insight can be invaluable before finalizing or adjusting your rates. For more guidance on pricing your child care services effectively in Arizona, check out Playground’s full tuition pricing guide.
Average Child Care Costs in Arizona by Center Type and Age
Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.
Infant | Toddler | Preschool | |
Center-based care | $13,225 | $10,143 | $10,143 |
Home-based care | $10,953 | $10,209 | $10,209 |
Most Expensive Counties in Arizona for Child Care
Maricopa County has the highest average tuition prices for 2026 at an average of $12,301 per year across ages and care types. Otherwise, a handful of counties share the same average costs for child care, leading to some ties for average prices and apparent pricing tiers throughout the state. Some of the other counties with relatively high child care rates include:
1. Maricopa County: $12,301
2. Pima County: $11,562
3. (tie) Gila County: $11,030
3. (tie) Pinal County: $11,030
5. (tie) Apache County: $10,649
5. (tie) Coconino County: $10,649
5. (tie) Navajo County: $10,649
5. (tie) Yavapai County: $10,649
Least Expensive Counties in Arizona for Child Care
The remaining seven Arizona counties are split among two pricing tiers that tie for the lowest average child care tuition rates in the state for 2026. These include:
Lowest average tuition tier:
La Paz County: $10,370
Mohave County: $10,370
Yuma County: $10,370
Second lowest average tuition tier:
Cochise County: $10,644
Graham County: $10,644
Greenlee County: $10,644
Santa Cruz County: $10,644
Average Child Care Costs in Arizona by County
Each of the 15 Arizona counties is listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2026 dollars based on the center type and child age – as well as a countywide average across all segments.
Apache County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Cochise County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Coconino County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Gila County
Average child care tuition: $11,030
Infant, center-based care: $12,702
Infant, home-based care: $12,778
Toddler, center-based care: $9,852
Toddler, home-based care: $10,497
Preschool, center-based care: $9,852
Preschool, home-based care: $10,497
Graham County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Greenlee County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
La Paz County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Maricopa County
Average child care tuition: $12,301
Infant, center-based care: $16,429
Infant, home-based care: $10,953
Toddler, center-based care: $12,778
Toddler, home-based care: $10,433
Preschool, center-based care: $12,778
Preschool, home-based care: $10,433
Mohave County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Navajo County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Pima County
Average child care tuition: $11,562
Infant, center-based care: $15,213
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $11,105
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $11,105
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Pinal County
Average child care tuition: $11,030
Infant, center-based care: $12,702
Infant, home-based care: $12,778
Toddler, center-based care: $9,852
Toddler, home-based care: $10,497
Preschool, center-based care: $9,852
Preschool, home-based care: $10,497
Santa Cruz County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Yavapai County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Yuma County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Data and Methodology
The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).
Annual child care tuition prices across Arizona range from an average of $9,100 to $16,400, depending on location, care type, and center type. While the statewide average across all care types sits at $10,814 – toward the lower end of that range – Arizona providers should set their 2026 rates using a combination of more localized benchmarks, along with their specific care type, service differentiators, and growth strategies to remain competitive.
Pricing child care services often involves some trial and error to find the right balance between local supply and demand. However, getting your prices as close to optimal as possible from the start is critical for maintaining sustainable profitability while keeping care accessible for your target families. Arizona child care providers can use the local benchmarks below as a practical starting point when setting rates for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers – whether operating out of a commercial center or a home-based program.
Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.
How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Arizona
Child care providers should rarely, if ever, set their prices based on benchmarks alone. While benchmarks are valuable for understanding the local competitive landscape, you’ll want to consider several factors that are unique to your business and circumstances. These include your goals, staffing capabilities and limitations, service specialties, waitlist and capacity levels, marketing strategies, target audience, subsidy participation status, and other operational realities.
It also helps to think like a family when comparing your services to local competitors. How do parents perceive your pricing and value offering relative to other options? Consider interviewing both current families and local prospective families to better understand what they’re looking for and where market gaps exist. This insight can be invaluable before finalizing or adjusting your rates. For more guidance on pricing your child care services effectively in Arizona, check out Playground’s full tuition pricing guide.
Average Child Care Costs in Arizona by Center Type and Age
Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.
Infant | Toddler | Preschool | |
Center-based care | $13,225 | $10,143 | $10,143 |
Home-based care | $10,953 | $10,209 | $10,209 |
Most Expensive Counties in Arizona for Child Care
Maricopa County has the highest average tuition prices for 2026 at an average of $12,301 per year across ages and care types. Otherwise, a handful of counties share the same average costs for child care, leading to some ties for average prices and apparent pricing tiers throughout the state. Some of the other counties with relatively high child care rates include:
1. Maricopa County: $12,301
2. Pima County: $11,562
3. (tie) Gila County: $11,030
3. (tie) Pinal County: $11,030
5. (tie) Apache County: $10,649
5. (tie) Coconino County: $10,649
5. (tie) Navajo County: $10,649
5. (tie) Yavapai County: $10,649
Least Expensive Counties in Arizona for Child Care
The remaining seven Arizona counties are split among two pricing tiers that tie for the lowest average child care tuition rates in the state for 2026. These include:
Lowest average tuition tier:
La Paz County: $10,370
Mohave County: $10,370
Yuma County: $10,370
Second lowest average tuition tier:
Cochise County: $10,644
Graham County: $10,644
Greenlee County: $10,644
Santa Cruz County: $10,644
Average Child Care Costs in Arizona by County
Each of the 15 Arizona counties is listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2026 dollars based on the center type and child age – as well as a countywide average across all segments.
Apache County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Cochise County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Coconino County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Gila County
Average child care tuition: $11,030
Infant, center-based care: $12,702
Infant, home-based care: $12,778
Toddler, center-based care: $9,852
Toddler, home-based care: $10,497
Preschool, center-based care: $9,852
Preschool, home-based care: $10,497
Graham County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Greenlee County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
La Paz County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Maricopa County
Average child care tuition: $12,301
Infant, center-based care: $16,429
Infant, home-based care: $10,953
Toddler, center-based care: $12,778
Toddler, home-based care: $10,433
Preschool, center-based care: $12,778
Preschool, home-based care: $10,433
Mohave County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Navajo County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Pima County
Average child care tuition: $11,562
Infant, center-based care: $15,213
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $11,105
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $11,105
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Pinal County
Average child care tuition: $11,030
Infant, center-based care: $12,702
Infant, home-based care: $12,778
Toddler, center-based care: $9,852
Toddler, home-based care: $10,497
Preschool, center-based care: $9,852
Preschool, home-based care: $10,497
Santa Cruz County
Average child care tuition: $10,644
Infant, center-based care: $13,083
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,417
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,417
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Yavapai County
Average child care tuition: $10,649
Infant, center-based care: $13,691
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $10,649
Toddler, home-based care: $9,127
Preschool, center-based care: $10,649
Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
Yuma County
Average child care tuition: $10,370
Infant, center-based care: $11,410
Infant, home-based care: $10,649
Toddler, center-based care: $9,432
Toddler, home-based care: $10,649
Preschool, center-based care: $9,432
Preschool, home-based care: $10,649
Data and Methodology
The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).
Frequently asked questions
Is there child care assistance available in Arizona?
What is Quality First in Arizona?
What child care licensing is required in Arizona?
Does Arizona offer free preschool?
Is child care tax deductible in Arizona?
What is the DES income limit for child care assistance in Arizona?
Jaclyn DeJohn, CFP®
Director of Content
Jaclyn is a data journalist and CFP™ who evaluates trends in the childcare industry and wider economy. She has previously worked for publications including CNET, SmartAsset, Bizfluent, AZCentral and Chron, and as a research consultant for NAPCO Media. Her insights are often cited by publications including Bloomberg, CNBC, Business Insider, Fox News, USA Today, The Hill and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from The College of New Jersey.
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