Riverside–San Bernardino childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.
What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Riverside–San Bernardino market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.
Riverside–San Bernardino, CA childcare market — key figures
The median childcare real estate cap rate in California is 6.3%, based on 17 of 23 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $538 per square foot.
In the Riverside–San Bernardino, CA metro, 9 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,919 for infants and $1,493 for preschool.
The Riverside–San Bernardino, CA metro has 287,667 children under age five and a median household income of $86,031; its population grew 2.6% and its under-five population declined 8.0% 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).
Growth moved inland — and brought demand with it.
The Inland Empire keeps growing — up 2.6% to 4.6 million residents — and household income jumped to $86,031 as coastal families moved inland. The under-5 count eased 8%, mirroring the statewide birth decline.
For owners that mix is favorable: growing rooftops and rising incomes support tuition, while fewer new children make established, full centers harder to replace — exactly what business buyers and net-lease investors pay for.
Real rates from Riverside–San Bernardino-market schools.
Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in the Riverside–San Bernardino market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.
| Brand | Location | Infant / mo | Pre-K / mo | Licensed capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KinderCare | Murrieta (Skyview Ridge) | $1,905 | $1,386 | 101 |
| KinderCare | Riverside (Canyon Crest) | $1,927 | $1,580 | 120 |
| Tutor Time | Rancho Cucamonga (Ellena W) | $2,052 | $1,658 | 189 |
| Tutor Time | Rancho Cucamonga (Alta Loma Dr) | $1,992 | $1,541 | 194 |
| Tutor Time | Murrieta (Margarita Rd) | $2,325 | $1,667 | 220 |
| La Petite Academy | Riverside (Collett Ave) | $1,429 | — | 104 |
| Kiddie Academy | Murrieta (Juniper St) | — | $1,445 | 204 |
| Childtime | Moreno Valley | $1,819 | $1,412 | — |
| Childtime | Chino | $1,910 | $1,368 | — |
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.
| 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 |
5 childcare properties currently listed for sale in California.
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