Daycare Cost: Boston, MA vs Dallas, TX (2026)
Dallas, TX infant center care runs $1040/month — $1060/month less than Boston, MA's $2100/month. That's $12,720/year per child.
Boston, MA, MA
$2100
infant/month
+$870 vs national avg
Dallas, TX, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Boston, MA vs Dallas, TX — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Boston, MA | Dallas, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,100/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,850/mo | $915/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,575/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,320/mo | $655/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,660/mo | $820/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,600/mo | $2,300/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Dallas, TX costs $12,480/year vs Boston, MA's $25,200/year.
Monthly savings
$1,060
Annual savings
$12,720
2-year infant care
$25,440
% difference
102%
Savings = Boston, MA cost minus Dallas, 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.
Boston, MA
26.1%
of $97k median income
Dallas, TX
17.1%
of $73k 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.
Boston, MA, MA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Dallas, TX, 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 Boston, MA or Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $2100/month in Boston, MA — a $1060/month gap. Dallas, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Boston, MA to Dallas, TX?
Infant center-based care in Dallas, TX runs $1060/month less than in Boston, MA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $25,440 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. Boston, MA is $870 above the national average, and Dallas, TX is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Boston, MA · Daycare in Dallas, TX · All city comparisons