Daycare Cost: Fort Worth, TX vs Houston, TX (2026)
Houston, TX infant center care runs $980/month — $20/month less than Fort Worth, TX's $1000/month. That's $240/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX, TX
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Houston, TX, TX
$980
infant/month
-$250 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX vs Houston, TX — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth, TX | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,000/mo | $980/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $880/mo | $860/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo | $740/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $630/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $790/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo | $2,200/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Houston, TX costs $11,760/year vs Fort Worth, TX's $12,000/year.
Monthly savings
$20
Annual savings
$240
2-year infant care
$480
% difference
2%
Savings = Fort Worth, TX cost minus Houston, TX 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, TX
16.4%
of $73k median income
Houston, TX
16.1%
of $73k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Houston, TX, TX — 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, TX or Houston, TX?
Houston, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $980/month, vs. $1000/month in Fort Worth, TX — a $20/month gap. Houston, TX wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX?
Infant center-based care in Houston, TX runs $20/month less than in Fort Worth, TX. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $480 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, TX is $230 below the national average, and Houston, TX is $250 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth, TX · Daycare in Houston, TX · All city comparisons