Daycare Cost: Philadelphia vs Virginia Beach (2026)
Philadelphia infant center care runs $1320/month — $150/month less than Virginia Beach's $1470/month. That's $1,800/year per child.
Philadelphia, PA
$1320
infant/month
+$90 vs national avg
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Philadelphia vs Virginia Beach — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Philadelphia | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,470/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,170/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $990/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| School Age | $830/mo ✓ | $920/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,020/mo ✓ | $1,160/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,860/mo ✓ | $3,050/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Philadelphia costs $15,840/year vs Virginia Beach's $17,640/year.
Monthly savings
$150
Annual savings
$1,800
2-year infant care
$3,600
% difference
11%
Savings = Virginia Beach cost minus Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia
19.4%
of $82k median income
Virginia Beach
18.8%
of $94k 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.
Philadelphia, PA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Virginia Beach, VA — 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 Philadelphia or Virginia Beach?
Philadelphia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1320/month, vs. $1470/month in Virginia Beach — a $150/month gap. Philadelphia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia?
Infant center-based care in Philadelphia runs $150/month less than in Virginia Beach. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,600 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. Philadelphia is $90 above the national average, and Virginia Beach is $240 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Philadelphia · Daycare in Virginia Beach · All city comparisons