Daycare Cost: Fort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CA (2026)
Fort Worth, TX infant center care runs $1000/month — $890/month less than Los Angeles, CA's $1890/month. That's $10,680/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX, TX
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Los Angeles, CA, CA
$1890
infant/month
+$660 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,000/mo ✓ | $1,890/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $1,660/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo ✓ | $1,420/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Infant — Home | $790/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $4,200/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, TX costs $12,000/year vs Los Angeles, CA's $22,680/year.
Monthly savings
$890
Annual savings
$10,680
2-year infant care
$21,360
% difference
89%
Savings = Los Angeles, CA cost minus Fort Worth, 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
Los Angeles, CA
24.7%
of $92k 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 →Los Angeles, CA, 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 Fort Worth, TX or Los Angeles, CA?
Fort Worth, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1890/month in Los Angeles, CA — a $890/month gap. Fort Worth, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles, CA to Fort Worth, TX?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth, TX runs $890/month less than in Los Angeles, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $21,360 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 Los Angeles, CA is $660 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth, TX · Daycare in Los Angeles, CA · All city comparisons