Daycare Cost: Long Beach, CA vs New York City, NY (2026)
Long Beach, CA infant center care runs $1750/month — $450/month less than New York City, NY's $2200/month. That's $5,400/year per child.
Long Beach, CA, CA
$1750
infant/month
+$520 vs national avg
New York City, NY, NY
$2200
infant/month
+$970 vs national avg
Long Beach, CA vs New York City, NY — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Long Beach, CA | New York City, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,750/mo ✓ | $2,200/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,540/mo ✓ | $1,940/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,315/mo ✓ | $1,650/mo |
| School Age | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,380/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,385/mo ✓ | $1,740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,850/mo ✓ | $4,800/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Long Beach, CA costs $21,000/year vs New York City, NY's $26,400/year.
Monthly savings
$450
Annual savings
$5,400
2-year infant care
$10,800
% difference
26%
Savings = New York City, NY cost minus Long Beach, CA 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.
Long Beach, CA
22.8%
of $92k median income
New York City, NY
34.8%
of $76k 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.
Long Beach, CA, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →New York City, NY, NY — 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 Long Beach, CA or New York City, NY?
Long Beach, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1750/month, vs. $2200/month in New York City, NY — a $450/month gap. Long Beach, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York City, NY to Long Beach, CA?
Infant center-based care in Long Beach, CA runs $450/month less than in New York City, NY. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,800 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. Long Beach, CA is $520 above the national average, and New York City, NY is $970 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Long Beach, CA · Daycare in New York City, NY · All city comparisons