Daycare Cost: Colorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CA (2026)
Colorado Springs, CO infant center care runs $1150/month — $740/month less than Los Angeles, CA's $1890/month. That's $8,880/year per child.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO
$1150
infant/month
-$80 vs national avg
Los Angeles, CA, CA
$1890
infant/month
+$660 vs national avg
Colorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,150/mo ✓ | $1,890/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,660/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $865/mo ✓ | $1,420/mo |
| School Age | $725/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Infant — Home | $910/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,500/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, Colorado Springs, CO costs $13,800/year vs Los Angeles, CA's $22,680/year.
Monthly savings
$740
Annual savings
$8,880
2-year infant care
$17,760
% difference
64%
Savings = Los Angeles, CA cost minus Colorado Springs, CO 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, CO
15.8%
of $88k median income
Los Angeles, CA
24.7%
of $92k 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.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Los Angeles, CA, 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, CO or Los Angeles, CA?
Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1150/month, vs. $1890/month in Los Angeles, CA — a $740/month gap. Colorado Springs, CO wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles, CA to Colorado Springs, CO?
Infant center-based care in Colorado Springs, CO runs $740/month less than in Los Angeles, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $17,760 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, CO is $80 below the national average, and Los Angeles, CA is $660 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Colorado Springs, CO · Daycare in Los Angeles, CA · All city comparisons