Daycare Cost: San Diego, CA vs San Jose, CA (2026)
San Diego, CA infant center care runs $1720/month — $330/month less than San Jose, CA's $2050/month. That's $3,960/year per child.
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
San Jose, CA, CA
$2050
infant/month
+$820 vs national avg
San Diego, CA vs San Jose, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Diego, CA | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,720/mo ✓ | $2,050/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,510/mo ✓ | $1,800/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,290/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| School Age | $1,080/mo ✓ | $1,290/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,360/mo ✓ | $1,620/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,800/mo ✓ | $4,500/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, CA costs $20,640/year vs San Jose, CA's $24,600/year.
Monthly savings
$330
Annual savings
$3,960
2-year infant care
$7,920
% difference
19%
Savings = San Jose, CA cost minus San Diego, CA 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, CA
22.5%
of $92k median income
San Jose, CA
26.8%
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 Diego, CA, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →San Jose, 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 Diego, CA or San Jose, CA?
San Diego, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1720/month, vs. $2050/month in San Jose, CA — a $330/month gap. San Diego, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose, CA to San Diego, CA?
Infant center-based care in San Diego, CA runs $330/month less than in San Jose, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,920 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 Diego, CA is $490 above the national average, and San Jose, CA is $820 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Diego, CA · Daycare in San Jose, CA · All city comparisons