Daycare Cost: Phoenix vs San Francisco (2026)
Phoenix infant center care runs $1050/month — $1610/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $19,320/year per child.
Phoenix, AZ
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Phoenix vs San Francisco — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Phoenix | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $2,660/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $2,370/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,920/mo |
| School Age | $650/mo ✓ | $1,630/mo |
| Infant — Home | $790/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,520/mo ✓ | $5,180/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Phoenix costs $12,600/year vs San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$1,610
Annual savings
$19,320
2-year infant care
$38,640
% difference
153%
Savings = San Francisco cost minus Phoenix 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.
Phoenix
15.5%
of $81k median income
San Francisco
31.2%
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.
Phoenix, AZ — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Francisco, 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 Phoenix or San Francisco?
Phoenix is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $1610/month gap. Phoenix wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Phoenix?
Infant center-based care in Phoenix runs $1610/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $38,640 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. Phoenix is $180 below the national average, and San Francisco is $1430 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Phoenix · Daycare in San Francisco · All city comparisons