Daycare Cost: Sacramento, CA vs San Diego, CA (2026)
Sacramento, CA infant center care runs $1280/month — $440/month less than San Diego, CA's $1720/month. That's $5,280/year per child.
Sacramento, CA, CA
$1280
infant/month
+$50 vs national avg
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA vs San Diego, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Sacramento, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,280/mo ✓ | $1,720/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,125/mo ✓ | $1,510/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $960/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| School Age | $805/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,015/mo ✓ | $1,360/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,800/mo ✓ | $3,800/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Sacramento, CA costs $15,360/year vs San Diego, CA's $20,640/year.
Monthly savings
$440
Annual savings
$5,280
2-year infant care
$10,560
% difference
34%
Savings = San Diego, CA cost minus Sacramento, CA 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, CA
16.7%
of $92k median income
San Diego, CA
22.5%
of $92k 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.
Sacramento, CA, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Diego, CA, 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 Sacramento, CA or San Diego, CA?
Sacramento, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1280/month, vs. $1720/month in San Diego, CA — a $440/month gap. Sacramento, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Diego, CA to Sacramento, CA?
Infant center-based care in Sacramento, CA runs $440/month less than in San Diego, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,560 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, CA is $50 above the national average, and San Diego, CA is $490 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Sacramento, CA · Daycare in San Diego, CA · All city comparisons