Daycare Cost: San Antonio, TX vs San Diego, CA (2026)
San Antonio, TX infant center care runs $890/month — $830/month less than San Diego, CA's $1720/month. That's $9,960/year per child.
San Antonio, TX, TX
$890
infant/month
-$340 vs national avg
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX vs San Diego, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Antonio, TX | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $890/mo ✓ | $1,720/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $785/mo ✓ | $1,510/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $670/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| School Age | $560/mo ✓ | $1,080/mo |
| Infant — Home | $700/mo ✓ | $1,360/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,000/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, San Antonio, TX costs $10,680/year vs San Diego, CA's $20,640/year.
Monthly savings
$830
Annual savings
$9,960
2-year infant care
$19,920
% difference
93%
Savings = San Diego, CA 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.
San Antonio, TX
14.6%
of $73k 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.
San Antonio, TX, TX — 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 San Antonio, TX or San Diego, CA?
San Antonio, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $890/month, vs. $1720/month in San Diego, CA — a $830/month gap. San Antonio, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Diego, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio, TX runs $830/month less than in San Diego, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,920 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, TX is $340 below the national average, and San Diego, CA is $490 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Antonio, TX · Daycare in San Diego, CA · All city comparisons