Daycare Cost: Atlanta vs Austin (2026)
Atlanta infant center care runs $1080/month — $0/month less than Austin's $1080/month. That's $0/year per child.
Atlanta, GA
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Atlanta vs Austin — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Atlanta | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo | $960/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo | $820/mo |
| School Age | $670/mo | $670/mo |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo | $840/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/mo | $2,640/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Atlanta costs $12,960/year vs Austin's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$0
Annual savings
$0
2-year infant care
$0
% difference
0%
Savings = Austin cost minus Atlanta 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.
Atlanta
16.4%
of $79k median income
Austin
15.8%
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.
Atlanta, GA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Austin, 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 Atlanta or Austin?
Atlanta is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $1080/month in Austin — a $0/month gap. Costs are closely matched across most care types.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Austin to Atlanta?
Infant center-based care in Atlanta runs $0/month less than in Austin. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $0 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. Atlanta is $150 below the national average, and Austin is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Atlanta · Daycare in Austin · All city comparisons