Daycare Cost: Houston vs Colorado Springs (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $720/month less than Colorado Springs's $1760/month. That's $8,640/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Colorado Springs, CO
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Houston vs Colorado Springs — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| School Age | $640/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo ✓ | $3,520/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 Colorado Springs's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$720
Annual savings
$8,640
2-year infant care
$17,280
% difference
69%
Savings = Colorado Springs cost minus Houston 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
15.2%
of $82k median income
Colorado Springs
21.7%
of $97k 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.
Houston, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Colorado Springs, CO — 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 or Colorado Springs?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $1760/month in Colorado Springs — a $720/month gap. Houston wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Colorado Springs to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $720/month less than in Colorado Springs. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $17,280 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 Colorado Springs is $530 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in Colorado Springs · All city comparisons