Daycare Cost: Columbus vs San Jose (2026)
Columbus infant center care runs $1050/month — $1470/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $17,640/year per child.
Columbus, OH
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
Columbus vs San Jose — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Columbus | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $2,520/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $2,240/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,820/mo |
| School Age | $660/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo ✓ | $1,960/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/mo ✓ | $4,900/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Columbus costs $12,600/year vs San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$1,470
Annual savings
$17,640
2-year infant care
$35,280
% difference
140%
Savings = San Jose cost minus Columbus 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 Jose
29.5%
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.
Columbus, OH — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Jose, 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 Columbus or San Jose?
Columbus is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $1470/month gap. Columbus wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to Columbus?
Infant center-based care in Columbus runs $1470/month less than in San Jose. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $35,280 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 Jose is $1290 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Columbus · Daycare in San Jose · All city comparisons