Daycare Cost: Houston vs Milwaukee (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $220/month less than Milwaukee's $1260/month. That's $2,640/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Milwaukee, WI
$1260
infant/month
+$30 vs national avg
Houston vs Milwaukee — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,260/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $1,110/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| School Age | $640/mo ✓ | $790/mo |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo ✓ | $2,730/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 Milwaukee's $15,120/year.
Monthly savings
$220
Annual savings
$2,640
2-year infant care
$5,280
% difference
21%
Savings = Milwaukee 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
Milwaukee
19.3%
of $78k 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 →Milwaukee, WI — 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 Milwaukee?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $1260/month in Milwaukee — a $220/month gap. Houston wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Milwaukee to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $220/month less than in Milwaukee. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $5,280 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 Milwaukee is $30 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in Milwaukee · All city comparisons