Daycare Cost: Houston vs Phoenix (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $10/month less than Phoenix's $1050/month. That's $120/year per child.
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Phoenix, AZ
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Houston vs Phoenix — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Houston | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,050/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo | $920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $790/mo |
| School Age | $640/mo ✓ | $650/mo |
| Infant — Home | $800/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,530/mo | $2,520/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 Phoenix's $12,600/year.
Monthly savings
$10
Annual savings
$120
2-year infant care
$240
% difference
1%
Savings = Phoenix 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
Phoenix
15.5%
of $81k 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 →Phoenix, AZ — 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 Phoenix?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $1050/month in Phoenix — a $10/month gap. Houston wins on 3 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Phoenix to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $10/month less than in Phoenix. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $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 Phoenix is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Houston · Daycare in Phoenix · All city comparisons