Market intelligence · Tampa, FL

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

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Tampa metro — grounded in our own Florida sold-comps database and U.S. Census data, from the Florida-headquartered childcare-only brokerage.

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161,580
Children under 5 in the Tampa metro (2023)
+6.9%
Population change, 2018–2023
$71,254
Median household income (2023)
−1.7%
Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FL Metro Area.
What this means for owners

Growth without the baby bust.

The Tampa Bay metro added roughly 210,000 residents from 2018 to 2023 and median household income rose about 35% to $71,254 — while the under-5 count held nearly flat, easing just 1.7% against double-digit declines in coastal metros elsewhere.

Strong in-migration with a stable child count is a durable demand base: new families keep arriving faster than the birth decline bites. For owners, that supports both enrollment and the price a buyer will pay for it.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Florida.

Across our sold-comps database, Florida childcare properties have typically traded at 6.5–7.3% cap rates, at a median of $323 per square foot, across 50 statewide sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 50 Florida childcare sales (31 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.
6.5–7.3%
Typical cap-rate range, FL sales
7.1%
Median sold cap rate, FL
$323
Median price per SF, FL
50
FL 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

14 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Florida.

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

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one — headquartered in Florida.

30+
Years in the industry
70+
Centers sold
18+
States nationwide
2,800+
Investors in our network
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FAQ

Questions from Tampa owners.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Florida?
In our sold-comps dataset of 50 Florida childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.1%, typically ranging 6.5–7.3%, at a median of $323 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.
How much is my Tampa 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 Tampa Bay area?
Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. Little Scholars is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, and maintains a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets.
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.