Columbus childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.
What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Columbus market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.
Columbus, OH childcare market — key figures
The median childcare real estate cap rate in Ohio is 6.8%, based on 10 of 20 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $262 per square foot.
In the Columbus, OH metro, 9 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,732 for infants and $1,472 for preschool.
The Columbus, OH metro has 135,376 children under age five and a median household income of $79,847; its population grew 4.8% and its under-five population declined 1.7% 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).
The Midwest's steadiest growth market.
Metro Columbus grew 4.8% from 2018 to 2023 while its under-5 population held nearly flat, easing just 1.7% — remarkable stability for a Midwestern metro. Median household income crossed the national median, reaching $79,847.
Our Ohio comps trade around a 6.8% median cap on 20 sales — the tightest pricing we track in the Midwest — and the surveyed schools cluster in the growth corridors: Dublin, Powell, Westerville, Pickerington. Steady demographics plus tight caps is a seller's combination.
Real rates from Columbus-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 | Westerville (County Line Rd) | $1,862 | $1,472 | 132 |
| KinderCare | Pickerington (Winderly Ln) | $1,472 | $1,234 | 110 |
| Tutor Time | Dublin (Emerald Pkwy) | $1,775 | $1,533 | 174 |
| Tutor Time | Powell (Discovery Ln) | $1,862 | $1,524 | 178 |
| La Petite Academy | Columbus (Polaris Pkwy) | $1,490 | $1,078 | 160 |
| La Petite Academy | Blacklick (Bannockburn Blvd) | $1,732 | $1,342 | 162 |
| Kiddie Academy | Dublin (Avery Rd) | $1,732 | $1,516 | 120 |
| Kiddie Academy | Powell (Summit View Rd) | $1,689 | $1,364 | 120 |
| Kiddie Academy | Westerville (Westerview Dr) | $1,775 | $1,494 | 94 |
What childcare properties trade at in Ohio.
Across our sold-comps database, Ohio childcare properties have typically traded at 6.3–7.1% cap rates, at a median of $262 per square foot, across 20 statewide sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.
| 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 |
12 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Ohio.
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