Daycare Cost: Jacksonville, FL vs Orlando, FL (2026)
Jacksonville, FL infant center care runs $930/month — $150/month less than Orlando, FL's $1080/month. That's $1,800/year per child.
Jacksonville, FL, FL
$930
infant/month
-$300 vs national avg
Orlando, FL, FL
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Jacksonville, FL vs Orlando, FL — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Jacksonville, FL | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $930/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $820/mo ✓ | $950/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $700/mo ✓ | $810/mo |
| School Age | $585/mo ✓ | $680/mo |
| Infant — Home | $735/mo ✓ | $855/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,100/mo ✓ | $2,400/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Jacksonville, FL costs $11,160/year vs Orlando, FL's $12,960/year.
Monthly savings
$150
Annual savings
$1,800
2-year infant care
$3,600
% difference
16%
Savings = Orlando, FL cost minus Jacksonville, FL 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, FL
16.4%
of $68k median income
Orlando, FL
19.1%
of $68k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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, FL — CCDF
Check eligibility →Orlando, FL, FL — 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, FL or Orlando, FL?
Jacksonville, FL is cheaper for infant center-based care at $930/month, vs. $1080/month in Orlando, FL — a $150/month gap. Jacksonville, FL wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Orlando, FL to Jacksonville, FL?
Infant center-based care in Jacksonville, FL runs $150/month less than in Orlando, FL. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,600 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, FL is $300 below the national average, and Orlando, FL is $150 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Jacksonville, FL · Daycare in Orlando, FL · All city comparisons