Daycare Cost: Oklahoma City vs Mesa (2026)
Oklahoma City infant center care runs $680/month — $320/month less than Mesa's $1000/month. That's $3,840/year per child.
Oklahoma City, OK
$680
infant/month
-$550 vs national avg
Mesa, AZ
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Oklahoma City vs Mesa — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Oklahoma City | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $680/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $590/mo ✓ | $880/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $500/mo ✓ | $750/mo |
| School Age | $420/mo ✓ | $620/mo |
| Infant — Home | $520/mo ✓ | $750/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $1,710/mo ✓ | $2,400/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Oklahoma City costs $8,160/year vs Mesa's $12,000/year.
Monthly savings
$320
Annual savings
$3,840
2-year infant care
$7,680
% difference
47%
Savings = Mesa cost minus Oklahoma City 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.
Oklahoma City
12.2%
of $67k median income
Mesa
14.8%
of $81k 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.
Oklahoma City, OK — CCDF
Check eligibility →Mesa, AZ — 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 Oklahoma City or Mesa?
Oklahoma City is cheaper for infant center-based care at $680/month, vs. $1000/month in Mesa — a $320/month gap. Oklahoma City wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Mesa to Oklahoma City?
Infant center-based care in Oklahoma City runs $320/month less than in Mesa. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,680 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. Oklahoma City is $550 below the national average, and Mesa is $230 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Oklahoma City · Daycare in Mesa · All city comparisons