Daycare Cost: Austin vs Raleigh (2026)
Austin infant center care runs $1080/month — $10/month less than Raleigh's $1090/month. That's $120/year per child.
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Raleigh, NC
$1090
infant/month
-$140 vs national avg
Austin vs Raleigh — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Austin | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo ✓ | $1,090/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo ✓ | $970/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo ✓ | $830/mo |
| School Age | $670/mo ✓ | $680/mo |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo ✓ | $850/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/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, Austin costs $12,960/year vs Raleigh's $13,080/year.
Monthly savings
$10
Annual savings
$120
2-year infant care
$240
% difference
1%
Savings = Raleigh cost minus Austin cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Austin or Raleigh?
Austin is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $1090/month in Raleigh — a $10/month gap. Austin wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Raleigh to Austin?
Infant center-based care in Austin runs $10/month less than in Raleigh. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $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 is $150 below the national average, and Raleigh is $140 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Austin · Daycare in Raleigh · All city comparisons