Daycare Cost: Sacramento vs San Antonio (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $1190/month less than Sacramento's $2070/month. That's $14,280/year per child.
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
Sacramento vs San Antonio — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Sacramento | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,070/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,840/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,490/mo | $670/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,270/mo | $550/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,610/mo | $690/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,020/mo | $2,160/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 costs $10,560/year vs Sacramento's $24,840/year.
Monthly savings
$1,190
Annual savings
$14,280
2-year infant care
$28,560
% difference
135%
Savings = Sacramento cost minus San Antonio 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.
Sacramento
24.3%
of $102k median income
San Antonio
12.9%
of $82k 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.
Sacramento, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Antonio, 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 Sacramento or San Antonio?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $2070/month in Sacramento — a $1190/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Sacramento to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $1190/month less than in Sacramento. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $28,560 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. Sacramento is $840 above the national average, and San Antonio is $350 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Sacramento · Daycare in San Antonio · All city comparisons