Tucson childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.
What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Tucson market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.
Tucson, AZ childcare market — key figures
The median childcare real estate cap rate in Arizona is 7%, based on 20 of 35 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $353 per square foot.
In the Tucson, AZ metro, 4 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $1,544 for infants and $1,146 for preschool.
The Tucson, AZ metro has 52,285 children under age five and a median household income of $67,929; its population grew 3.0% and its under-five population declined 11.4% 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).
Arizona's value market.
Tucson grew 3.0% from 2018 to 2023 while its under-5 count fell 11.4% and household income rose 33% to $67,929.
Tuition runs well below Phoenix — a $1,544 median infant rate against Phoenix's $1,678 — and Arizona comps trade around a 7.0% median cap on 35 statewide sales. Fewer new children make established, enrolled centers the scarce asset.
Real rates from Tucson-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Petite Academy | Tucson (S Midvale Park Rd) | $1,355 | $1,009 | 142 |
| La Petite Academy | Tucson (N Thornydale Rd) | $1,754 | $1,282 | 163 |
| La Petite Academy | Tucson (N Sarnoff Dr) | $1,256 | $953 | 203 |
| Childtime | Tucson (N Thornydale Rd) | $1,732 | $1,559 | — |
What childcare properties trade at in Arizona.
Across our sold-comps database, Arizona childcare properties have typically traded at 6.8–7.4% cap rates, at a median of $353 per square foot, across 35 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 |
6 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Arizona.
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