Daycare Cost: Fort Worth, TX vs San Diego, CA (2026)
Fort Worth, TX infant center care runs $1000/month — $720/month less than San Diego, CA's $1720/month. That's $8,640/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX, TX
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX vs San Diego, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth, TX | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,000/mo ✓ | $1,720/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $1,510/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Infant — Home | $790/mo ✓ | $1,360/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $3,800/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 San Diego, CA's $20,640/year.
Monthly savings
$720
Annual savings
$8,640
2-year infant care
$17,280
% difference
72%
Savings = San Diego, 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
San Diego, CA
22.5%
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 →San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA?
Fort Worth, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1720/month in San Diego, CA — a $720/month gap. Fort Worth, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Diego, CA to Fort Worth, TX?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth, TX runs $720/month less than in San Diego, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $17,280 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 San Diego, CA is $490 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth, TX · Daycare in San Diego, CA · All city comparisons