Daycare Cost: Fresno vs Sacramento (2026)
Fresno infant center care runs $1800/month — $270/month less than Sacramento's $2070/month. That's $3,240/year per child.
Fresno, CA
$1800
infant/month
+$570 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
Fresno vs Sacramento — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fresno | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,800/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,600/mo ✓ | $1,840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,300/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| School Age | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,270/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,400/mo ✓ | $1,610/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,500/mo ✓ | $4,020/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Fresno costs $21,600/year vs Sacramento's $24,840/year.
Monthly savings
$270
Annual savings
$3,240
2-year infant care
$6,480
% difference
15%
Savings = Sacramento cost minus Fresno 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
Sacramento
24.3%
of $102k 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 →Sacramento, 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 Fresno or Sacramento?
Fresno is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1800/month, vs. $2070/month in Sacramento — a $270/month gap. Fresno wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Sacramento to Fresno?
Infant center-based care in Fresno runs $270/month less than in Sacramento. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,480 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 Sacramento is $840 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fresno · Daycare in Sacramento · All city comparisons