Daycare Cost: Albuquerque vs Arlington (2026)
Albuquerque infant center care runs $810/month — $140/month less than Arlington's $950/month. That's $1,680/year per child.
Albuquerque, NM
$810
infant/month
-$420 vs national avg
Arlington, TX
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Albuquerque vs Arlington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Albuquerque | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $810/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $710/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $610/mo ✓ | $710/mo |
| School Age | $500/mo ✓ | $590/mo |
| Infant — Home | $630/mo ✓ | $740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,900/mo ✓ | $2,310/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Albuquerque costs $9,720/year vs Arlington's $11,400/year.
Monthly savings
$140
Annual savings
$1,680
2-year infant care
$3,360
% difference
17%
Savings = Arlington cost minus Albuquerque cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Albuquerque
15.1%
of $64k median income
Arlington
13.9%
of $82k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Albuquerque, NM — CCDF
Check eligibility →Arlington, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Albuquerque or Arlington?
Albuquerque is cheaper for infant center-based care at $810/month, vs. $950/month in Arlington — a $140/month gap. Albuquerque wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Arlington to Albuquerque?
Infant center-based care in Albuquerque runs $140/month less than in Arlington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,360 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Albuquerque is $420 below the national average, and Arlington is $280 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Albuquerque · Daycare in Arlington · All city comparisons