Research
Original childcare cost and quality data from Shortlist. All data available for media use with attribution.
Does Expensive Childcare Mean Better Childcare?
The correlation between childcare price and quality is essentially zero. Cross-city analysis of 250 providers with rules-based quality scores and normalized cost-per-hour pricing. Plus: why corporate chains score higher than you'd expect.
What Childcare Costs in Seattle
From $61/month co-ops to $3,620/month centers — neighborhood-level pricing for Seattle and the Eastside. 105 providers with $/hr data.
What Childcare Costs in Chicago
North Shore programs run $6–$38/hr. Downtown is 2x the suburbs. 65 providers with $/hr data across Chicago and the North Shore.
What Childcare Costs in Denver
Central Park is the largest childcare market in the metro. 35 providers with $/hr data across 14 neighborhoods.
What Childcare Costs in Kansas City
The most affordable Shortlist market. Johnson County vs. Missouri side-by-side. 43 providers with $/hr data.