Daycare Cost: Columbus vs El Paso (2026)
El Paso infant center care runs $790/month — $260/month less than Columbus's $1050/month. That's $3,120/year per child.
Columbus, OH
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
El Paso, TX
$790
infant/month
-$440 vs national avg
Columbus vs El Paso — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Columbus | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $700/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo | $600/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $660/mo | $490/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo | $1,940/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, El Paso costs $9,480/year vs Columbus's $12,600/year.
Monthly savings
$260
Annual savings
$3,120
2-year infant care
$6,240
% difference
33%
Savings = Columbus cost minus El Paso 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.
Columbus
17.0%
of $74k median income
El Paso
11.6%
of $82k 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.
Columbus, OH — CCDF
Check eligibility →El Paso, 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 Columbus or El Paso?
El Paso is cheaper for infant center-based care at $790/month, vs. $1050/month in Columbus — a $260/month gap. El Paso wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Columbus to El Paso?
Infant center-based care in El Paso runs $260/month less than in Columbus. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,240 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. Columbus is $180 below the national average, and El Paso is $440 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Columbus · Daycare in El Paso · All city comparisons