Daycare Cost: Arlington vs Los Angeles (2026)
Arlington infant center care runs $950/month — $1390/month less than Los Angeles's $2340/month. That's $16,680/year per child.
Arlington, TX
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Los Angeles, CA
$2340
infant/month
+$1110 vs national avg
Arlington vs Los Angeles — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Arlington | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo ✓ | $2,340/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $840/mo ✓ | $2,080/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $710/mo ✓ | $1,690/mo |
| School Age | $590/mo ✓ | $1,430/mo |
| Infant — Home | $740/mo ✓ | $1,820/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,310/mo ✓ | $4,550/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 Los Angeles's $28,080/year.
Monthly savings
$1,390
Annual savings
$16,680
2-year infant care
$33,360
% difference
146%
Savings = Los Angeles 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
Los Angeles
27.4%
of $102k 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 →Los Angeles, CA — 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 Los Angeles?
Arlington is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $2340/month in Los Angeles — a $1390/month gap. Arlington wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles to Arlington?
Infant center-based care in Arlington runs $1390/month less than in Los Angeles. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $33,360 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. Arlington is $280 below the national average, and Los Angeles is $1110 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Arlington · Daycare in Los Angeles · All city comparisons