Daycare Cost: Los Angeles, CA vs Sacramento, CA (2026)
Sacramento, CA infant center care runs $1280/month — $610/month less than Los Angeles, CA's $1890/month. That's $7,320/year per child.
Los Angeles, CA, CA
$1890
infant/month
+$660 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA, CA
$1280
infant/month
+$50 vs national avg
Los Angeles, CA vs Sacramento, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Los Angeles, CA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,890/mo | $1,280/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,660/mo | $1,125/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,420/mo | $960/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,180/mo | $805/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,490/mo | $1,015/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/mo | $2,800/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Sacramento, CA costs $15,360/year vs Los Angeles, CA's $22,680/year.
Monthly savings
$610
Annual savings
$7,320
2-year infant care
$14,640
% difference
48%
Savings = Los Angeles, CA cost minus Sacramento, 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.
Los Angeles, CA
24.7%
of $92k median income
Sacramento, CA
16.7%
of $92k 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.
Los Angeles, CA, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Sacramento, CA, CA — 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 Los Angeles, CA or Sacramento, CA?
Sacramento, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1280/month, vs. $1890/month in Los Angeles, CA — a $610/month gap. Sacramento, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles, CA to Sacramento, CA?
Infant center-based care in Sacramento, CA runs $610/month less than in Los Angeles, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $14,640 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, CA is $660 above the national average, and Sacramento, CA is $50 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Los Angeles, CA · Daycare in Sacramento, CA · All city comparisons