Daycare Cost: San Antonio vs Fort Worth (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $90/month less than Fort Worth's $970/month. That's $1,080/year per child.
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX
$970
infant/month
-$260 vs national avg
San Antonio vs Fort Worth — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Antonio | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $970/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $860/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $670/mo ✓ | $730/mo |
| School Age | $550/mo ✓ | $600/mo |
| Infant — Home | $690/mo ✓ | $760/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,160/mo ✓ | $2,380/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 Fort Worth's $11,640/year.
Monthly savings
$90
Annual savings
$1,080
2-year infant care
$2,160
% difference
10%
Savings = Fort Worth 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.
San Antonio
12.9%
of $82k median income
Fort Worth
14.2%
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.
San Antonio, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Fort Worth, 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 San Antonio or Fort Worth?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $970/month in Fort Worth — a $90/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Fort Worth to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $90/month less than in Fort Worth. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,160 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. San Antonio is $350 below the national average, and Fort Worth is $260 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Antonio · Daycare in Fort Worth · All city comparisons