Daycare Cost: Fort Worth vs Virginia Beach (2026)
Fort Worth infant center care runs $970/month — $500/month less than Virginia Beach's $1470/month. That's $6,000/year per child.
Fort Worth, TX
$970
infant/month
-$260 vs national avg
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Fort Worth vs Virginia Beach — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fort Worth | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $970/mo ✓ | $1,470/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $730/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| School Age | $600/mo ✓ | $920/mo |
| Infant — Home | $760/mo ✓ | $1,160/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,380/mo ✓ | $3,050/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 Virginia Beach's $17,640/year.
Monthly savings
$500
Annual savings
$6,000
2-year infant care
$12,000
% difference
52%
Savings = Virginia Beach 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
Virginia Beach
18.8%
of $94k 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 →Virginia Beach, VA — 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 Virginia Beach?
Fort Worth is cheaper for infant center-based care at $970/month, vs. $1470/month in Virginia Beach — a $500/month gap. Fort Worth wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Virginia Beach to Fort Worth?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth runs $500/month less than in Virginia Beach. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,000 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 Virginia Beach is $240 above.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fort Worth · Daycare in Virginia Beach · All city comparisons