Daycare Cost: San Antonio vs San Jose (2026)
San Antonio infant center care runs $880/month — $1640/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $19,680/year per child.
San Antonio, TX
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
San Antonio vs San Jose — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Antonio | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $2,520/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $780/mo ✓ | $2,240/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $670/mo ✓ | $1,820/mo |
| School Age | $550/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Infant — Home | $690/mo ✓ | $1,960/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,160/mo ✓ | $4,900/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 San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$1,640
Annual savings
$19,680
2-year infant care
$39,360
% difference
186%
Savings = San Jose 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
San Jose
29.5%
of $102k 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 →San Jose, 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 or San Jose?
San Antonio is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $1640/month gap. San Antonio wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to San Antonio?
Infant center-based care in San Antonio runs $1640/month less than in San Jose. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $39,360 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 San Jose is $1290 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Antonio · Daycare in San Jose · All city comparisons