Market intelligence · Tucson, AZ

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

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52,285

Children under 5 in the Tucson metro (2023)

+3.0%

Population change, 2018–2023

$67,929

Median household income (2023)

−11.4%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Tucson, AZ Metro Area.

What this means for owners

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.

2025 tuition rates · Tucson market

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.

$1,544

Median infant rate / mo · Tucson market

$1,146

Median preschool rate / mo · Tucson market

69%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

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	—

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 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.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 35 Arizona childcare sales (20 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.8–7.4%

Typical cap-rate range, AZ sales

7.0%

Median sold cap rate, AZ

$353

Median price per SF, AZ

AZ 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

6 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Arizona.

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.

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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 Tucson owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Tucson?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Tucson market, actual rates ran roughly $1,256–$1,754/mo for infants and $953–$1,559/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $1,544 and $1,146. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Arizona?

In our sold-comps dataset of 35 Arizona childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 7.0%, typically ranging 6.8–7.4%, at a median of $353 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Tucson 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 southern Arizona?

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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