Daycare / Childcare Center Startup Costs: Denver, CO vs San Antonio, TX (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of one-time expenses, monthly costs, and first-year budget adjusted for local cost of living.
Opening a daycare / childcare center in San Antonio saves approximately $27,342 (18.8%) compared to Denver in 2026, with first-year costs of $118,482 vs $145,824.
First-Year Savings
San Antonio saves $27,342 (18.8%) for a Daycare / Childcare Center
$145,824 in Denver vs $118,482 in San Antonio
Denver, CO
$145,824
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 112.0
San Antonio, TX
$118,482
First-year total (mid)
COL index: 91.0
First-Year Budget Comparison
Mid-range estimates for daycare / childcare center startup
| Category | Denver | San Antonio | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Time Costs | $57,120 | $46,410 | +$10,710 |
| Monthly Costs x 12 | $88,704 | $72,072 | +$16,632 |
| Total First Year | $145,824 | $118,482 | +$27,342 |
One-Time Startup Costs
Upfront investment comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver | San Antonio | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture & Equipment | $16,800 | $13,650 | +$3,150 |
| Initial Supplies & Curriculum | $5,600 | $4,550 | +$1,050 |
| Licensing & Certifications | $3,360 | $2,730 | +$630 |
| Renovations & Childproofing | $28,000 | $22,750 | +$5,250 |
| Safety Systems | $3,360 | $2,730 | +$630 |
| Total One-Time | $57,120 | $46,410 | +$10,710 |
Monthly Operating Costs
Recurring expense comparison (mid estimates)
| Expense | Denver/mo | San Antonio/mo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance (Liability) | $1,120 | $910 | +$210 |
| Rent | $3,920 | $3,185 | +$735 |
| Supplies & Activities | $1,680 | $1,365 | +$315 |
| Utilities | $672 | $546 | +$126 |
| Total Monthly | $7,392 | $6,006 | +$1,386 |
City Business Profiles
Denver, CO
Denver's COL index of 112 reflects its transformation from a regional hub to a national tech and outdoor lifestyle destination, with significant wage and rent appreciation since 2015.
aerospace & defense, cannabis industry, technology
Colorado's FAMLI paid family leave program (launched 2024) adds to employer overhead; Denver businesses compete with Boulder and Fort Collins for the same workforce.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has one of the lowest COL indices among major cities at 91, combined with Texas's zero income tax and low SUTA, making it exceptional value for operational costs.
military & defense (4 active bases), cybersecurity, healthcare
San Antonio's large military presence creates a steady pipeline of veterans seeking post-service employment and entrepreneurship opportunities across many business sectors.
What This Means for Your Daycare / Childcare Center
Denver has a cost of living index of 112.0 while San Antonio sits at 91.0 (national average = 100). This means every expense — rent, equipment, supplies, insurance — costs proportionally more in the higher-indexed city.
Over the first year, opening a daycare / childcare center in San Antonio saves an estimated $27,342 (18.8%) compared to Denver. The monthly operating cost difference alone accounts for $16,632 of that gap over 12 months.
These estimates use national average startup costs for a daycare / childcare center, adjusted by each city's cost of living factor. Actual costs vary based on your specific location, size of operation, and current market conditions. Use the interactive Startup Cost Calculator to customize expenses for your situation.
Explore Each City
Compare Other Business Types: Denver vs San Antonio
Tools to Launch Your Business in Denver and San Antonio
Track expenses, manage finances, and stay on budget from day one.
Track startup expenses, manage cash flow, and see where every dollar goes.
Simple invoicing and expense tracking built for small business owners.
Bookkeeping service so you can focus on building your business, not spreadsheets.
Some links may be affiliate links. CostCrunch may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Get startup cost updates for your city
We update startup cost data when cost-of-living changes. Get an alert when your city's data is refreshed.
More Daycare / Childcare Center City Comparisons
Was this calculator helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve CostCrunch
Thank you for your feedback! ✓
Save Your Results
Download a professional PDF report with your complete analysis, charts, and key insights.
Download Your Report
Enter your email to get your personalized PDF report. We'll also send you useful financial tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
More Free Calculators
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell to cover costs
Markup & Margin
Convert between markup and margin percentages
Startup Cost Estimator
Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs
Loan Comparison
Compare loan options side by side
Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate gross, operating, and net margins
Employee Cost Calculator
Find the true cost of hiring an employee
Payroll Tax Calculator
Estimate employer payroll taxes by state
Cash Flow Forecast
Project cash flow and calculate runway
W-2 vs 1099 Calculator
Compare employee vs contractor costs
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate SE tax and quarterly payments for freelancers
Salary to Hourly Calculator
Convert between salary and hourly rate
Get notified when tax rates change
We monitor payroll tax rates, SUTA, and cost-of-living data across all 50 states. When rates change, we'll let you know. Free, no spam.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.