Daycare Cost: Austin vs San Antonio (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $200/month less than Austin's $1080/month. That's $2,400/year per child.
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
Austin vs San Antonio — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Austin | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $670/mo | $550/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, San Antonio costs $10,560/year vs Austin's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$200
Annual savings
$2,400
2-year infant care
$4,800
% difference
23%
Savings = Austin cost minus San Antonio cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Austin or San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $1080/month in Austin — a $200/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Austin to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $200/month less than in Austin. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,800 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 San Antonio is $350 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Austin · Daycare in San Antonio · All city comparisons