Get an Instant Valuation
Market intelligence · Los Angeles, CA

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

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

Get an Instant Valuation Sell your center Confidential · No obligation
689,012
Children under 5 in the Los Angeles market (2023)
−1.9%
Population change, 2018–2023
$93,525
Median household income — above the U.S. national median
−15.3%
Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA Metro Area.
What this means for owners

Fewer kids, higher incomes — scarcity is the story in L.A.

The Los Angeles metro has fewer young children than it did five years ago — the under-5 population fell about 15% between 2018 and 2023 — but household incomes climbed to $93,525, well above the national median. For childcare, demand concentrates in fewer, better-capitalized families and in the centers that hold their enrollment.

For an owner, scarcity cuts both ways: buyers scrutinize enrollment harder, but a center that is full — in a state where new licensed capacity is slow and costly to build — is a scarcer, more valuable asset. California childcare real estate trades at the richest pricing in our dataset.

2025 tuition rates · Los Angeles market

Real rates from Los Angeles-market schools.

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

$2,317
Median infant rate / mo · Los Angeles market
$1,752
Median preschool rate / mo · Los Angeles market
67%
Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting
BrandLocationInfant / moPre-K / moLicensed capacity
Tutor TimeIrvine (Central Park Ave)$2,498$1,987232
Tutor TimeIrvine (San Marino)—$2,220152
Tutor TimeSanta Clarita (Bouquet Canyon Rd)$2,291$1,576172
Tutor TimeWoodland Hills$2,390$1,589198
KinderCareSanta Ana$2,317$1,819176
ChildtimeSanta Ana$2,546$1,771—
ChildtimeLaguna Niguel$2,533$1,862—
Kiddie AcademyHuntington Beach$2,273$1,732146
La Petite AcademyLancaster$2,013$1,524159
La Petite AcademySanta Clarita (Seco Canyon Rd)$2,308$1,347137
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 California.

Across our sold-comps database, California childcare properties have typically traded at 5.6–7.0% cap rates, with a median of $538 per square foot — the richest pricing among the states we track. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 23 California childcare sales (17 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.
5.6–7.0%
Typical cap-rate range, CA sales
6.3%
Median sold cap rate, CA
$538
Median price per SF, CA
23
CA 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

5 childcare properties currently listed for sale in California.

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

What's your Los Angeles center worth?

An instant, confidential valuation of your business and your property — built on the same data behind this page.

Get my free valuation
Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one — with California roots.

30+
Years in the industry
70+
Centers sold
18+
States nationwide
2,800+
Investors in our network
Meet Alan Stahl and the team →
FAQ

Questions from Los Angeles owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Los Angeles?
In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Los Angeles market, actual rates ran roughly $2,013–$2,546/mo for infants and $1,347–$2,220/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $2,317 and $1,752. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.
What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in California?
In our sold-comps dataset, California childcare properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 6.3%, typically ranging 5.6–7.0% — the tightest pricing among the states we track. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.
How much is my Los Angeles 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 Southern California?
Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors — and we've brokered California childcare for over 30 years.
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.
Keep exploring
Market page

San Diego, CA

Values, cap rates, and real tuition rates.

→ Market page

Riverside–San Bernardino, CA

Values, cap rates, and real tuition rates.

→ Data

Childcare comps database

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

→
View all markets →