Daycare Cost: Jacksonville vs Albuquerque (2026)
Albuquerque infant center care runs $810/month — $140/month less than Jacksonville's $950/month. That's $1,680/year per child.
Jacksonville, FL
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Albuquerque, NM
$810
infant/month
-$420 vs national avg
Jacksonville vs Albuquerque — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Jacksonville | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo | $810/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $830/mo | $710/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $710/mo | $610/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $590/mo | $500/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $740/mo | $630/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,280/mo | $1,900/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Albuquerque costs $9,720/year vs Jacksonville's $11,400/year.
Monthly savings
$140
Annual savings
$1,680
2-year infant care
$3,360
% difference
17%
Savings = Jacksonville cost minus Albuquerque 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.
Jacksonville
15.1%
of $75k median income
Albuquerque
15.1%
of $64k 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.
Jacksonville, FL — CCDF
Check eligibility →Albuquerque, NM — 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 Jacksonville or Albuquerque?
Albuquerque is cheaper for infant center-based care at $810/month, vs. $950/month in Jacksonville — a $140/month gap. Albuquerque wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Jacksonville to Albuquerque?
Infant center-based care in Albuquerque runs $140/month less than in Jacksonville. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,360 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. Jacksonville is $280 below the national average, and Albuquerque is $420 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Jacksonville · Daycare in Albuquerque · All city comparisons