Daycare Cost: El Paso vs Aurora (2026)
El Paso infant center care runs $790/month — $970/month less than Aurora's $1760/month. That's $11,640/year per child.
El Paso, TX
$790
infant/month
-$440 vs national avg
Aurora, CO
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
El Paso vs Aurora — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | El Paso | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $700/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $600/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| School Age | $490/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $620/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,940/mo ✓ | $3,520/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, El Paso costs $9,480/year vs Aurora's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$970
Annual savings
$11,640
2-year infant care
$23,280
% difference
123%
Savings = Aurora cost minus El Paso 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.
El Paso
11.6%
of $82k median income
Aurora
21.7%
of $97k 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.
El Paso, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Aurora, CO — 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 El Paso or Aurora?
El Paso is cheaper for infant center-based care at $790/month, vs. $1760/month in Aurora — a $970/month gap. El Paso wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Aurora to El Paso?
Infant center-based care in El Paso runs $970/month less than in Aurora. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $23,280 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. El Paso is $440 below the national average, and Aurora is $530 above.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in El Paso · Daycare in Aurora · All city comparisons