Market intelligence · Raleigh–Durham, NC

Raleigh–Durham 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 Raleigh–Durham market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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132,909

Children under 5 in the Raleigh–Durham metro (2023)

+6.1%

Population change, 2018–2023

$87,518

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

−1.1%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Raleigh–Durham–Cary, NC Combined Statistical Area.

What this means for owners

The Research Triangle premium.

The Raleigh–Durham CSA grew 6.1% from 2018 to 2023 and median household income jumped 34% to $87,518, while the under-5 count held nearly flat — easing just 1.1% against double-digit declines elsewhere.

Our surveyed Triangle schools run an 84% median occupancy with infant tuition around $1,900 a month — university-and-tech demand at Southeastern operating costs. North Carolina comps trade around a 7.1% median cap on 34 sales.

2025 tuition rates · Raleigh–Durham market

Real rates from Raleigh–Durham-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.

$1,840

Median infant rate / mo · Raleigh–Durham market

$1,516

Median preschool rate / mo · Raleigh–Durham market

87%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Raleigh (Mitchell Mill Rd)	$1,494	$1,191	216
KinderCare	Raleigh (Jacqueline Ln)	$1,407	$1,234	131
KinderCare	Apex (Olive Chapel Rd)	$1,992	$1,689	150
KinderCare	Raleigh (Dunn Rd)	$2,057	$1,645	132
Bright Horizons	Durham (So Hi Dr)	—	$1,700	149
Bright Horizons	Raleigh (Corporate Center Dr)	—	$1,685	144
Kiddie Academy	Morrisville (Carrington Mill Blvd)	$1,840	$1,516	166
Kiddie Academy	Cary (Tryon Manor Dr)	$1,693	$1,381	178
Childtime	Raleigh (Six Forks Rd)	$1,905	$1,386	—

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 North Carolina.

Across our sold-comps database, North Carolina childcare properties have typically traded at 6.8–7.3% cap rates, at a median of $285 per square foot, across 34 statewide 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 34 North Carolina childcare sales (24 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.8–7.3%

Typical cap-rate range, NC sales

7.1%

Median sold cap rate, NC

$285

Median price per SF, NC

NC 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

11 childcare properties currently listed for sale in North 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.

What's your Raleigh–Durham center worth?

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

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FAQ

Questions from Raleigh–Durham owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Raleigh–Durham?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Raleigh–Durham market, actual rates ran roughly $1,693,407–$2,057,057/mo for infants and $1,693,191–$1,693,700/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,693,840 and $1,693,516. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

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

In our sold-comps dataset of 34 North Carolina childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.1%, typically ranging 6.8–7.3%, at a median of $285 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Raleigh–Durham 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 Triangle?

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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