Daycare Cost: Columbus vs San Antonio (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $170/month less than Columbus's $1050/month. That's $2,040/year per child.
Columbus, OH
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
Columbus vs San Antonio — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Columbus | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $660/mo | $550/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, San Antonio costs $10,560/year vs Columbus's $12,600/year.
Monthly savings
$170
Annual savings
$2,040
2-year infant care
$4,080
% difference
19%
Savings = Columbus cost minus San Antonio 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
San Antonio
12.9%
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 →San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $1050/month in Columbus — a $170/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Columbus to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $170/month less than in Columbus. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,080 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 San Antonio is $350 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Columbus · Daycare in San Antonio · All city comparisons