Daycare Cost: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO (2026)
Austin, TX infant center care runs $1180/month — $260/month less than Denver, CO's $1440/month. That's $3,120/year per child.
Austin, TX, TX
$1180
infant/month
-$50 vs national avg
Denver, CO, CO
$1440
infant/month
+$210 vs national avg
Austin, TX vs Denver, CO — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Austin, TX | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,180/mo ✓ | $1,440/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,265/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $890/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| School Age | $745/mo ✓ | $905/mo |
| Infant — Home | $930/mo ✓ | $1,140/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,600/mo ✓ | $3,100/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Austin, TX costs $14,160/year vs Denver, CO's $17,280/year.
Monthly savings
$260
Annual savings
$3,120
2-year infant care
$6,240
% difference
22%
Savings = Denver, CO cost minus Austin, TX 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.
Austin, TX
19.4%
of $73k median income
Denver, CO
19.7%
of $88k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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.
Austin, TX, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Denver, CO, CO — 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 Austin, TX or Denver, CO?
Austin, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1180/month, vs. $1440/month in Denver, CO — a $260/month gap. Austin, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver, CO to Austin, TX?
Infant center-based care in Austin, TX runs $260/month less than in Denver, CO. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,240 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. Austin, TX is $50 below the national average, and Denver, CO is $210 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Austin, TX · Daycare in Denver, CO · All city comparisons