Daycare Cost: Los Angeles vs San Diego (2026)
San Diego infant center care runs $2250/month — $90/month less than Los Angeles's $2340/month. That's $1,080/year per child.
Los Angeles, CA
$2340
infant/month
+$1110 vs national avg
San Diego, CA
$2250
infant/month
+$1020 vs national avg
Los Angeles vs San Diego — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Los Angeles | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,340/mo | $2,250/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,080/mo | $2,000/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,690/mo | $1,630/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,430/mo | $1,380/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,820/mo | $1,750/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,550/mo | $4,380/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 costs $27,000/year vs Los Angeles's $28,080/year.
Monthly savings
$90
Annual savings
$1,080
2-year infant care
$2,160
% difference
4%
Savings = Los Angeles cost minus San Diego cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Los Angeles or San Diego?
San Diego is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2250/month, vs. $2340/month in Los Angeles — a $90/month gap. San Diego wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles to San Diego?
Infant center-based care in San Diego runs $90/month less than in Los Angeles. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,160 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 San Diego is $1020 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Los Angeles · Daycare in San Diego · All city comparisons