Daycare Cost: New Orleans vs Santa Ana (2026)
New Orleans infant center care runs $740/month — $1420/month less than Santa Ana's $2160/month. That's $17,040/year per child.
New Orleans, LA
$740
infant/month
-$490 vs national avg
Santa Ana, CA
$2160
infant/month
+$930 vs national avg
New Orleans vs Santa Ana — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New Orleans | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $740/mo ✓ | $2,160/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $650/mo ✓ | $1,920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $560/mo ✓ | $1,560/mo |
| School Age | $460/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| Infant — Home | $570/mo ✓ | $1,680/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,000/mo ✓ | $4,200/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 costs $8,880/year vs Santa Ana's $25,920/year.
Monthly savings
$1,420
Annual savings
$17,040
2-year infant care
$34,080
% difference
192%
Savings = Santa Ana cost minus New Orleans 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
14.2%
of $63k median income
Santa Ana
25.3%
of $102k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
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 — CCDF
Check eligibility →Santa Ana, 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 or Santa Ana?
New Orleans is cheaper for infant center-based care at $740/month, vs. $2160/month in Santa Ana — a $1420/month gap. New Orleans wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Santa Ana to New Orleans?
Infant center-based care in New Orleans runs $1420/month less than in Santa Ana. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $34,080 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. New Orleans is $490 below the national average, and Santa Ana is $930 above.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New Orleans · Daycare in Santa Ana · All city comparisons