Daycare Cost: Arlington vs Houston (2026)
Arlington infant center care runs $950/month — $90/month less than Houston's $1040/month. That's $1,080/year per child.
Arlington, TX
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Arlington vs Houston — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Arlington | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo ✓ | $1,040/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $840/mo ✓ | $920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $710/mo ✓ | $780/mo |
| School Age | $590/mo ✓ | $640/mo |
| Infant — Home | $740/mo ✓ | $800/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,310/mo ✓ | $2,530/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Arlington costs $11,400/year vs Houston's $12,480/year.
Monthly savings
$90
Annual savings
$1,080
2-year infant care
$2,160
% difference
9%
Savings = Houston cost minus Arlington 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.
Arlington
13.9%
of $82k median income
Houston
15.2%
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.
Arlington, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Houston, 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 Arlington or Houston?
Arlington is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $1040/month in Houston — a $90/month gap. Arlington wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Houston to Arlington?
Infant center-based care in Arlington runs $90/month less than in Houston. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,160 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. Arlington is $280 below the national average, and Houston is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Arlington · Daycare in Houston · All city comparisons