Daycare Cost: Dallas vs San Antonio (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $130/month less than Dallas's $1010/month. That's $1,560/year per child.
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
Dallas vs San Antonio — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Dallas | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,010/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $900/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $630/mo | $550/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/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 Dallas's $12,120/year.
Monthly savings
$130
Annual savings
$1,560
2-year infant care
$3,120
% difference
15%
Savings = Dallas cost minus San Antonio cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Dallas or San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $1010/month in Dallas — a $130/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Dallas to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $130/month less than in Dallas. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,120 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 San Antonio is $350 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Dallas · Daycare in San Antonio · All city comparisons