Daycare Cost: New Orleans, LA vs San Francisco, CA (2026)
New Orleans, LA infant center care runs $950/month — $1400/month less than San Francisco, CA's $2350/month. That's $16,800/year per child.
New Orleans, LA, LA
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
San Francisco, CA, CA
$2350
infant/month
+$1120 vs national avg
New Orleans, LA vs San Francisco, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $950/mo ✓ | $2,350/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $835/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $715/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| School Age | $600/mo ✓ | $1,470/mo |
| Infant — Home | $750/mo ✓ | $1,860/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,100/mo ✓ | $5,100/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, New Orleans, LA costs $11,400/year vs San Francisco, CA's $28,200/year.
Monthly savings
$1,400
Annual savings
$16,800
2-year infant care
$33,600
% difference
147%
Savings = San Francisco, CA cost minus New Orleans, LA 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.
New Orleans, LA
19.7%
of $58k median income
San Francisco, CA
30.7%
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.
New Orleans, LA, LA — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Francisco, 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 New Orleans, LA or San Francisco, CA?
New Orleans, LA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $2350/month in San Francisco, CA — a $1400/month gap. New Orleans, LA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco, CA to New Orleans, LA?
Infant center-based care in New Orleans, LA runs $1400/month less than in San Francisco, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $33,600 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. New Orleans, LA is $280 below the national average, and San Francisco, CA is $1120 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New Orleans, LA · Daycare in San Francisco, CA · All city comparisons