Market intelligence · Charleston, SC

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

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

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

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47,858

Children under 5 in the Charleston metro (2023)

+7.7%

Population change, 2018–2023

$82,272

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

+1.9%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Charleston–North Charleston, SC Metro Area.

Charleston, SC childcare market — key figures

The median childcare real estate cap rate in South Carolina is 7.1%, based on 13 of 16 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $307 per square foot.

In the Charleston, SC metro, 2 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,241 for infants and $1,027 for preschool.

The Charleston, SC metro has 47,858 children under age five and a median household income of $82,272; its population grew 7.7% and its under-five population grew 1.9% 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

Lowcountry growth — with kids included.

Charleston grew 7.7% from 2018 to 2023 and its under-5 population rose 1.9% — a growth market in every column, with household income up 35% to $82,272.

One surveyed school reports being full until August — demand is ahead of seats. South Carolina comps trade around a 7.1% median cap at $307 per square foot on 16 sales.

2025 tuition rates · Charleston market

Real rates from Charleston-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.

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Summerville (N Main St)	$1,277	$1,061	225
La Petite Academy	North Charleston (Ashley Phosphate Rd)	$1,204	$992	114

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.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in South Carolina.

Across our sold-comps database, South Carolina childcare properties have typically traded at 6.5–7.3% cap rates, at a median of $307 per square foot, across 16 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 16 South Carolina childcare sales (13 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.5–7.3%

Typical cap-rate range, SC sales

7.1%

Median sold cap rate, SC

$307

Median price per SF, SC

SC childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

6 childcare properties currently listed for sale in South Carolina.

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.

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

NEARLY40

Years in the industry

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

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FAQ

Questions from Charleston owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Charleston?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Charleston market, actual rates ran roughly $1,204–$1,277/mo for infants and $992–$1,061/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,241 and $1,027. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in South Carolina?

In our sold-comps dataset of 16 South Carolina childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.1%, typically ranging 6.5–7.3%, at a median of $307 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Charleston 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 the Lowcountry?

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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