Daycare Cost: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX (2026)
Houston, TX infant center care runs $980/month — $200/month less than Austin, TX's $1180/month. That's $2,400/year per child.
Houston, TX, TX
$980
infant/month
-$250 vs national avg
Austin, TX, TX
$1180
infant/month
-$50 vs national avg
Houston, TX vs Austin, TX — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston, TX | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $980/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $860/mo ✓ | $1,040/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $740/mo ✓ | $890/mo |
| School Age | $620/mo ✓ | $745/mo |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo ✓ | $930/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $2,600/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Houston, TX costs $11,760/year vs Austin, TX's $14,160/year.
Monthly savings
$200
Annual savings
$2,400
2-year infant care
$4,800
% difference
20%
Savings = Austin, TX cost minus Houston, TX 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.
Houston, TX
16.1%
of $73k median income
Austin, TX
19.4%
of $73k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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.
Houston, TX, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Austin, TX, TX — 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 Houston, TX or Austin, TX?
Houston, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $980/month, vs. $1180/month in Austin, TX — a $200/month gap. Houston, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Austin, TX to Houston, TX?
Infant center-based care in Houston, TX runs $200/month less than in Austin, TX. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,800 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. Houston, TX is $250 below the national average, and Austin, TX is $50 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston, TX · Daycare in Austin, TX · All city comparisons