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Market intelligence · Austin, TX

Austin childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Austin market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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137,579
Children under 5 in the Austin metro (2023)
+14.5%
Population change, 2018–2023
$97,638
Median household income — above the U.S. national median
+2.0%
Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TX Metro Area.

Austin, TX childcare market — key figures

The median childcare real estate cap rate in Texas is 7.68%, based on 43 of 56 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $375 per square foot.

In the Austin, TX metro, 3 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,546 for infants and $1,256 for preschool.

The Austin, TX metro has 137,579 children under age five and a median household income of $97,638; its population grew 14.5% and its under-five population grew 2.0% between 2018 and 2023.

Little Scholars Real Estate is a childcare-only business and real estate brokerage led by Alan Stahl, with 80 transactions closed across 18+ states.

Sources: Little Scholars Real Estate sold-comps database (592 childcare transactions across 41 states, updated June 2026); Little Scholars 2025 tuition survey, rates received directly from individual schools; U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 and 2023). Figures may be cited or republished with attribution to Little Scholars Real Estate (CC BY 4.0).

What this means for owners

The fastest-growing market we track — kids included.

Austin added nearly 300,000 residents from 2018 to 2023 — up 14.5% — and, rare among big metros, its under-5 population grew 2.0%. Median household income reached $97,638.

Growing child counts feed enrollment directly. Texas comps are the deepest pool in our dataset — 56 sales trading 6.9–8.8% around a 7.7% median — and new supply keeps the market honest.

2025 tuition rates · Austin market

Real rates from Austin-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$1,546
Median infant rate / mo · Austin market
$1,256
Median preschool rate / mo · Austin market
85%
Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting
BrandLocationInfant / moPre-K / moLicensed capacity
La Petite AcademyAustin (Chisholm Ln)$1,658$1,234109
La Petite AcademyCedar Park (Cypress Creek Rd)$1,546$1,264160
Kiddie AcademyRound Rock (NW University Blvd)$1,516$1,256166
Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.
Licensed supply · State record

Every licensed center in metro Austin.

Texas publishes its full child-care operations register. We counted every open Licensed Center across metro Austin — licensed capacity, age groups served, and subsidy acceptance.

952
Open licensed centers, Austin metro
114,101
Licensed seats across the metro
102
Median licensed capacity per center
1.2
Children under 5 per licensed seat
57%
Metro centers licensed to serve infants
9,559
Licensed centers statewide (1,132,145 seats)

Austin is the least supply-constrained major market in Texas: 114,101 licensed seats against 137,579 children under 5, or roughly one seat for every 1.2 children. It also has the state's weakest infant coverage — only 57% of Austin centers are licensed to serve infants, against 76% in San Antonio. For an operator, that combination means competing on program quality and infant availability rather than on the scarcity of a seat.

Source: Texas HHSC CCL Daycare and Residential Operations Data, open Licensed Centers, pulled August 2, 2026 — Texas state public record (CC0 public domain). Austin metro defined by Metropolitan Statistical Area counties. Under-5 count: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023.
Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Texas.

Across our sold-comps database, Texas childcare properties have typically traded at 6.9–8.8% cap rates, at a median of $375 per square foot, across 56 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 56 Texas childcare sales (43 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.
6.9–8.8%
Typical cap-rate range, TX sales
7.7%
Median sold cap rate, TX
$375
Median price per SF, TX
56
TX childcare sales in our dataset
Brand (national)Median sold capMedian $/SF
KinderCare6.67%$381
La Petite Academy6.89%$207
Kiddie Academy6.46%$378
Tutor Time8.47%$372
Childtime6.20%$262
Market activity

48 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Texas.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.
Contact us about these listings How's your childcare tenant doing on tuition & enrollment? Ask us

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

NEARLY40
Years in the industry
80
Centers sold
18+
States nationwide
2,800+
Investors in our network
Meet Alan Stahl and the team →
FAQ

Questions from Austin owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Austin?
In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Austin market, actual rates ran roughly $1,516–$1,658/mo for infants and $1,234–$1,264/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,546 and $1,256. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.
What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Texas?
In our sold-comps dataset of 56 Texas childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.7%, typically ranging 6.9–8.8%, at a median of $375 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.
How much is my Austin daycare business worth?
Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.
Who buys childcare centers in Central Texas?
Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.
Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?
Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.
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 Data

Childcare comps database

Cap rates and price per SF by national brand, from real sold transactions.

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