Daycare Cost: Raleigh, NC vs San Antonio, TX (2026)
San Antonio, TX infant center care runs $890/month — $310/month less than Raleigh, NC's $1200/month. That's $3,720/year per child.
Raleigh, NC, NC
$1200
infant/month
-$30 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX, TX
$890
infant/month
-$340 vs national avg
Raleigh, NC vs San Antonio, TX — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Raleigh, NC | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,200/mo | $890/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,055/mo | $785/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $900/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $755/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $950/mo | $700/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,650/mo | $2,000/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, San Antonio, TX costs $10,680/year vs Raleigh, NC's $14,400/year.
Monthly savings
$310
Annual savings
$3,720
2-year infant care
$7,440
% difference
35%
Savings = Raleigh, NC cost minus San Antonio, TX 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.
Raleigh, NC
21.8%
of $66k median income
San Antonio, TX
14.6%
of $73k 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.
Raleigh, NC, NC — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Antonio, TX, TX — 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 Raleigh, NC or San Antonio, TX?
San Antonio, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $890/month, vs. $1200/month in Raleigh, NC — a $310/month gap. San Antonio, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Raleigh, NC to San Antonio, TX?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio, TX runs $310/month less than in Raleigh, NC. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,440 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. Raleigh, NC is $30 below the national average, and San Antonio, TX is $340 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Raleigh, NC · Daycare in San Antonio, TX · All city comparisons