Daycare Cost: Fresno vs Virginia Beach (2026)
Virginia Beach infant center care runs $1470/month — $330/month less than Fresno's $1800/month. That's $3,960/year per child.
Fresno, CA
$1800
infant/month
+$570 vs national avg
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Fresno vs Virginia Beach — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Fresno | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,800/mo | $1,470/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,600/mo | $1,290/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,300/mo | $1,100/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,100/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,400/mo | $1,160/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,500/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, Virginia Beach costs $17,640/year vs Fresno's $21,600/year.
Monthly savings
$330
Annual savings
$3,960
2-year infant care
$7,920
% difference
22%
Savings = Fresno cost minus Virginia Beach 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
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.
Fresno, CA — 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 Fresno or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1470/month, vs. $1800/month in Fresno — a $330/month gap. Virginia Beach wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Fresno to Virginia Beach?
Infant center-based care in Virginia Beach runs $330/month less than in Fresno. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,920 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 Virginia Beach is $240 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Fresno · Daycare in Virginia Beach · All city comparisons