Daycare Cost: San Diego vs Anaheim (2026)
San Diego infant center care runs $2250/month — $0/month less than Anaheim's $2250/month. That's $0/year per child.
San Diego, CA
$2250
infant/month
+$1020 vs national avg
Anaheim, CA
$2250
infant/month
+$1020 vs national avg
San Diego vs Anaheim — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Diego | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,250/mo | $2,250/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $2,000/mo | $2,000/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,630/mo | $1,630/mo |
| School Age | $1,380/mo | $1,380/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,750/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,380/mo | $4,380/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, San Diego costs $27,000/year vs Anaheim's $27,000/year.
Monthly savings
$0
Annual savings
$0
2-year infant care
$0
% difference
0%
Savings = Anaheim cost minus San Diego 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 Diego
26.4%
of $102k median income
Anaheim
26.4%
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 Diego, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Anaheim, 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 Diego or Anaheim?
San Diego is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2250/month, vs. $2250/month in Anaheim — a $0/month gap. Costs are closely matched across most care types.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Anaheim to San Diego?
Infant center-based care in San Diego runs $0/month less than in Anaheim. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $0 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 Diego is $1020 above the national average, and Anaheim is $1020 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Diego · Daycare in Anaheim · All city comparisons