Daycare Cost: El Paso vs Sacramento (2026)
El Paso infant center care runs $790/month — $1280/month less than Sacramento's $2070/month. That's $15,360/year per child.
El Paso, TX
$790
infant/month
-$440 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
El Paso vs Sacramento — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | El Paso | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $700/mo ✓ | $1,840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $600/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| School Age | $490/mo ✓ | $1,270/mo |
| Infant — Home | $620/mo ✓ | $1,610/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,940/mo ✓ | $4,020/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 Sacramento's $24,840/year.
Monthly savings
$1,280
Annual savings
$15,360
2-year infant care
$30,720
% difference
162%
Savings = Sacramento 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
Sacramento
24.3%
of $102k 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 →Sacramento, CA — 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 Sacramento?
El Paso is cheaper for infant center-based care at $790/month, vs. $2070/month in Sacramento — a $1280/month gap. El Paso wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Sacramento to El Paso?
Infant center-based care in El Paso runs $1280/month less than in Sacramento. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $30,720 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 Sacramento is $840 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in El Paso · Daycare in Sacramento · All city comparisons