Daycare Cost: Austin vs Washington (2026)
Austin infant center care runs $1080/month — $1320/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $15,840/year per child.
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Austin vs Washington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Austin | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo ✓ | $2,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo ✓ | $2,100/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo ✓ | $1,800/mo |
| School Age | $670/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo ✓ | $1,900/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/mo ✓ | $4,200/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 Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$1,320
Annual savings
$15,840
2-year infant care
$31,680
% difference
122%
Savings = Washington cost minus Austin 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
15.8%
of $82k median income
Washington
20.3%
of $142k 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.
Austin, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Washington, DC — 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 or Washington?
Austin is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $1320/month gap. Austin wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Austin?
Infant center-based care in Austin runs $1320/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $31,680 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 Washington is $1170 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Austin · Daycare in Washington · All city comparisons