Daycare Cost: Dallas vs Las Vegas (2026)
Dallas infant center care runs $1010/month — $40/month less than Las Vegas's $1050/month. That's $480/year per child.
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
Las Vegas, NV
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Dallas vs Las Vegas — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Dallas | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,050/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo ✓ | $790/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $650/mo |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo ✓ | $810/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/mo | $2,420/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 Las Vegas's $12,600/year.
Monthly savings
$40
Annual savings
$480
2-year infant care
$960
% difference
4%
Savings = Las Vegas cost minus Dallas 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.
Dallas
14.8%
of $82k median income
Las Vegas
16.0%
of $79k 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.
Dallas, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Las Vegas, NV — 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 Dallas or Las Vegas?
Dallas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1010/month, vs. $1050/month in Las Vegas — a $40/month gap. Dallas wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Las Vegas to Dallas?
Infant center-based care in Dallas runs $40/month less than in Las Vegas. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $960 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 Las Vegas is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Dallas · Daycare in Las Vegas · All city comparisons