Daycare Cost: San Antonio, TX vs San Francisco, CA (2026)
San Antonio, TX infant center care runs $890/month — $1460/month less than San Francisco, CA's $2350/month. That's $17,520/year per child.
San Antonio, TX, TX
$890
infant/month
-$340 vs national avg
San Francisco, CA, CA
$2350
infant/month
+$1120 vs national avg
San Antonio, TX vs San Francisco, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Antonio, TX | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $890/mo ✓ | $2,350/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $785/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $670/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| School Age | $560/mo ✓ | $1,470/mo |
| Infant — Home | $700/mo ✓ | $1,860/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,000/mo ✓ | $5,100/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 Francisco, CA's $28,200/year.
Monthly savings
$1,460
Annual savings
$17,520
2-year infant care
$35,040
% difference
164%
Savings = San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA
30.7%
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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA?
San Antonio, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $890/month, vs. $2350/month in San Francisco, CA — a $1460/month gap. San Antonio, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio, TX runs $1460/month less than in San Francisco, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $35,040 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 Francisco, CA is $1120 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Antonio, TX · Daycare in San Francisco, CA · All city comparisons