Daycare Cost: Houston vs New Orleans (2026)
New Orleans infant center care runs $740/month — $300/month less than Houston's $1040/month. That's $3,600/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
New Orleans, LA
$740
infant/month
-$490 vs national avg
Houston vs New Orleans — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo | $740/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $650/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $640/mo | $460/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo | $570/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo | $2,000/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, New Orleans costs $8,880/year vs Houston's $12,480/year.
Monthly savings
$300
Annual savings
$3,600
2-year infant care
$7,200
% difference
41%
Savings = Houston cost minus New Orleans 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
New Orleans
14.2%
of $63k 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 →New Orleans, LA — 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans is cheaper for infant center-based care at $740/month, vs. $1040/month in Houston — a $300/month gap. New Orleans wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Houston to New Orleans?
Infant center-based care in New Orleans runs $300/month less than in Houston. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,200 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 New Orleans is $490 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in New Orleans · All city comparisons