Daycare Cost: Fort Worth vs Albuquerque (2026)
Albuquerque infant center care runs $810/month — $160/month less than Fort Worth's $970/month. That's $1,920/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX
$970
infant/month
-$260 vs national avg
Albuquerque, NM
$810
infant/month
-$420 vs national avg
Fort Worth vs Albuquerque — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $970/mo | $810/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo | $710/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $730/mo | $610/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $600/mo | $500/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $760/mo | $630/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,380/mo | $1,900/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Albuquerque costs $9,720/year vs Fort Worth's $11,640/year.
Monthly savings
$160
Annual savings
$1,920
2-year infant care
$3,840
% difference
20%
Savings = Fort Worth cost minus Albuquerque 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.
Fort Worth
14.2%
of $82k median income
Albuquerque
15.1%
of $64k 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.
Fort Worth, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Albuquerque, NM — 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 Fort Worth or Albuquerque?
Albuquerque is cheaper for infant center-based care at $810/month, vs. $970/month in Fort Worth — a $160/month gap. Albuquerque wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Fort Worth to Albuquerque?
Infant center-based care in Albuquerque runs $160/month less than in Fort Worth. 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. Fort Worth is $260 below the national average, and Albuquerque is $420 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth · Daycare in Albuquerque · All city comparisons