Daycare Cost: Dallas vs Austin (2026)
Dallas infant center care runs $1010/month — $70/month less than Austin's $1080/month. That's $840/year per child.
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Dallas vs Austin — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Dallas | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $960/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo ✓ | $820/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $670/mo |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/mo ✓ | $2,640/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Dallas costs $12,120/year vs Austin's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$70
Annual savings
$840
2-year infant care
$1,680
% difference
7%
Savings = Austin cost minus Dallas cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Dallas or Austin?
Dallas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1010/month, vs. $1080/month in Austin — a $70/month gap. Dallas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Austin to Dallas?
Infant center-based care in Dallas runs $70/month less than in Austin. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,680 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. Dallas is $220 below the national average, and Austin is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Dallas · Daycare in Austin · All city comparisons