Daycare Cost: Houston vs Memphis (2026)
Memphis infant center care runs $780/month — $260/month less than Houston's $1040/month. That's $3,120/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Memphis, TN
$780
infant/month
-$450 vs national avg
Houston vs Memphis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo | $590/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $640/mo | $490/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo | $610/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo | $1,930/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Memphis costs $9,360/year vs Houston's $12,480/year.
Monthly savings
$260
Annual savings
$3,120
2-year infant care
$6,240
% difference
33%
Savings = Houston cost minus Memphis 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
Memphis
13.1%
of $71k 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 →Memphis, TN — 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 Memphis?
Memphis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $780/month, vs. $1040/month in Houston — a $260/month gap. Memphis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Houston to Memphis?
Infant center-based care in Memphis runs $260/month less than in Houston. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,240 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 Memphis is $450 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in Memphis · All city comparisons