Daycare Cost: El Paso vs Kansas City (2026)
El Paso infant center care runs $790/month — $160/month less than Kansas City's $950/month. That's $1,920/year per child.
El Paso, TX
$790
infant/month
-$440 vs national avg
Kansas City, MO
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
El Paso vs Kansas City — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | El Paso | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $700/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $600/mo ✓ | $710/mo |
| School Age | $490/mo ✓ | $590/mo |
| Infant — Home | $620/mo ✓ | $740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,940/mo ✓ | $2,310/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 Kansas City's $11,400/year.
Monthly savings
$160
Annual savings
$1,920
2-year infant care
$3,840
% difference
20%
Savings = Kansas City 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
Kansas City
15.5%
of $74k 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 →Kansas City, MO — 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 Kansas City?
El Paso is cheaper for infant center-based care at $790/month, vs. $950/month in Kansas City — a $160/month gap. El Paso wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Kansas City to El Paso?
Infant center-based care in El Paso runs $160/month less than in Kansas City. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,840 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 Kansas City is $280 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in El Paso · Daycare in Kansas City · All city comparisons