Daycare Cost: Fort Worth vs Houston (2026)
Fort Worth infant center care runs $970/month — $70/month less than Houston's $1040/month. That's $840/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX
$970
infant/month
-$260 vs national avg
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Fort Worth vs Houston — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $970/mo ✓ | $1,040/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo ✓ | $920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $730/mo ✓ | $780/mo |
| School Age | $600/mo ✓ | $640/mo |
| Infant — Home | $760/mo ✓ | $800/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,380/mo ✓ | $2,530/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Fort Worth costs $11,640/year vs Houston's $12,480/year.
Monthly savings
$70
Annual savings
$840
2-year infant care
$1,680
% difference
7%
Savings = Houston cost minus Fort Worth 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
Houston
15.2%
of $82k 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 →Houston, 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 or Houston?
Fort Worth is cheaper for infant center-based care at $970/month, vs. $1040/month in Houston — a $70/month gap. Fort Worth wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Houston to Fort Worth?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth runs $70/month less than in Houston. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,680 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 Houston is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth · Daycare in Houston · All city comparisons