Daycare Cost: Los Angeles vs Sacramento (2026)
Sacramento infant center care runs $2070/month — $270/month less than Los Angeles's $2340/month. That's $3,240/year per child.
Los Angeles, CA
$2340
infant/month
+$1110 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
Los Angeles vs Sacramento — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Los Angeles | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,340/mo | $2,070/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,080/mo | $1,840/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,690/mo | $1,490/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,430/mo | $1,270/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,820/mo | $1,610/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,550/mo | $4,020/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Sacramento costs $24,840/year vs Los Angeles's $28,080/year.
Monthly savings
$270
Annual savings
$3,240
2-year infant care
$6,480
% difference
13%
Savings = Los Angeles cost minus Sacramento cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Los Angeles or Sacramento?
Sacramento is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2070/month, vs. $2340/month in Los Angeles — a $270/month gap. Sacramento wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles to Sacramento?
Infant center-based care in Sacramento runs $270/month less than in Los Angeles. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $6,480 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. Los Angeles is $1110 above the national average, and Sacramento is $840 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Los Angeles · Daycare in Sacramento · All city comparisons