Raleigh–Durham childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.
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.
Raleigh–Durham, NC childcare market — key figures
The median childcare real estate cap rate in North Carolina is 7.1%, based on 24 of 34 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $285 per square foot.
In the Raleigh–Durham, NC metro, 9 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,840 for infants and $1,516 for preschool.
The Raleigh–Durham, NC metro has 132,909 children under age five and a median household income of $87,518; its population grew 6.1% and its under-five population declined 1.1% 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 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.
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.
| 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 | — |
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.
| 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 |
11 childcare properties currently listed for sale in North Carolina.
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