Daycare Cost: Colorado Springs vs Bakersfield (2026)
Bakersfield infant center care runs $1710/month — $50/month less than Colorado Springs's $1760/month. That's $600/year per child.
Colorado Springs, CO
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Bakersfield, CA
$1710
infant/month
+$480 vs national avg
Colorado Springs vs Bakersfield — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Colorado Springs | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,760/mo | $1,710/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,540/mo | $1,520/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,320/mo | $1,240/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,100/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,330/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,520/mo | $3,330/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Bakersfield costs $20,520/year vs Colorado Springs's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$50
Annual savings
$600
2-year infant care
$1,200
% difference
3%
Savings = Colorado Springs cost minus Bakersfield 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.
Colorado Springs
21.7%
of $97k median income
Bakersfield
20.0%
of $102k 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.
Colorado Springs, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Bakersfield, CA — 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 Colorado Springs or Bakersfield?
Bakersfield is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1710/month, vs. $1760/month in Colorado Springs — a $50/month gap. Bakersfield wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Colorado Springs to Bakersfield?
Infant center-based care in Bakersfield runs $50/month less than in Colorado Springs. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,200 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. Colorado Springs is $530 above the national average, and Bakersfield is $480 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Colorado Springs · Daycare in Bakersfield · All city comparisons