Daycare Cost: Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA (2026)
San Diego, CA infant center care runs $1720/month — $170/month less than Los Angeles, CA's $1890/month. That's $2,040/year per child.
Los Angeles, CA, CA
$1890
infant/month
+$660 vs national avg
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,890/mo | $1,720/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,660/mo | $1,510/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,420/mo | $1,290/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,180/mo | $1,080/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,490/mo | $1,360/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/mo | $3,800/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, San Diego, CA costs $20,640/year vs Los Angeles, CA's $22,680/year.
Monthly savings
$170
Annual savings
$2,040
2-year infant care
$4,080
% difference
10%
Savings = Los Angeles, CA cost minus San Diego, 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
San Diego, CA
22.5%
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 →San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA?
San Diego, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1720/month, vs. $1890/month in Los Angeles, CA — a $170/month gap. San Diego, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA?
Infant center-based care in San Diego, CA runs $170/month less than in Los Angeles, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,080 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 San Diego, CA is $490 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Los Angeles, CA · Daycare in San Diego, CA · All city comparisons