Daycare Cost: Honolulu vs San Jose (2026)
Honolulu infant center care runs $1650/month — $870/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $10,440/year per child.
Honolulu, HI
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
Honolulu vs San Jose — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Honolulu | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo ✓ | $2,520/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,430/mo ✓ | $2,240/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,210/mo ✓ | $1,820/mo |
| School Age | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,960/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,300/mo ✓ | $4,900/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Honolulu costs $19,800/year vs San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$870
Annual savings
$10,440
2-year infant care
$20,880
% difference
53%
Savings = San Jose cost minus Honolulu 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.
Honolulu
19.5%
of $101k median income
San Jose
29.5%
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.
Honolulu, HI — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Jose, 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 Honolulu or San Jose?
Honolulu is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1650/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $870/month gap. Honolulu wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to Honolulu?
Infant center-based care in Honolulu runs $870/month less than in San Jose. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $20,880 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. Honolulu is $420 above the national average, and San Jose is $1290 above.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Honolulu · Daycare in San Jose · All city comparisons