Daycare Cost: Fort Worth, TX vs New York City, NY (2026)
Fort Worth, TX infant center care runs $1000/month — $1200/month less than New York City, NY's $2200/month. That's $14,400/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX, TX
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
New York City, NY, NY
$2200
infant/month
+$970 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX vs New York City, NY — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth, TX | New York City, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,000/mo ✓ | $2,200/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $1,940/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo ✓ | $1,650/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $1,380/mo |
| Infant — Home | $790/mo ✓ | $1,740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $4,800/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 New York City, NY's $26,400/year.
Monthly savings
$1,200
Annual savings
$14,400
2-year infant care
$28,800
% difference
120%
Savings = New York City, NY 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
New York City, NY
34.8%
of $76k 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 →New York City, NY, NY — 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 New York City, NY?
Fort Worth, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $2200/month in New York City, NY — a $1200/month gap. Fort Worth, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York City, NY to Fort Worth, TX?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth, TX runs $1200/month less than in New York City, NY. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $28,800 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 New York City, NY is $970 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth, TX · Daycare in New York City, NY · All city comparisons