Daycare Cost: Fresno vs Atlanta (2026)
Atlanta infant center care runs $1080/month — $720/month less than Fresno's $1800/month. That's $8,640/year per child.
Fresno, CA
$1800
infant/month
+$570 vs national avg
Atlanta, GA
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Fresno vs Atlanta — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fresno | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,800/mo | $1,080/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,600/mo | $960/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,300/mo | $820/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,100/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,400/mo | $840/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,500/mo | $2,640/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Atlanta costs $12,960/year vs Fresno's $21,600/year.
Monthly savings
$720
Annual savings
$8,640
2-year infant care
$17,280
% difference
67%
Savings = Fresno cost minus Atlanta 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.
Fresno
21.1%
of $102k median income
Atlanta
16.4%
of $79k 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.
Fresno, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Atlanta, GA — 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 Fresno or Atlanta?
Atlanta is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $1800/month in Fresno — a $720/month gap. Atlanta wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Fresno to Atlanta?
Infant center-based care in Atlanta runs $720/month less than in Fresno. 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. Fresno is $570 above the national average, and Atlanta is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fresno · Daycare in Atlanta · All city comparisons