Daycare Cost: Houston vs Austin (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $40/month less than Austin's $1080/month. That's $480/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Houston vs Austin — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $960/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $820/mo |
| School Age | $640/mo ✓ | $670/mo |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo ✓ | $840/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/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, Houston costs $12,480/year vs Austin's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$40
Annual savings
$480
2-year infant care
$960
% difference
4%
Savings = Austin cost minus Houston cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Houston or Austin?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $1080/month in Austin — a $40/month gap. Houston wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Austin to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $40/month less than in Austin. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $960 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 is $190 below the national average, and Austin is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in Austin · All city comparisons