Daycare Cost: San Diego, CA vs Santa Ana, CA (2026)
Santa Ana, CA infant center care runs $1580/month — $140/month less than San Diego, CA's $1720/month. That's $1,680/year per child.
San Diego, CA, CA
$1720
infant/month
+$490 vs national avg
Santa Ana, CA, CA
$1580
infant/month
+$350 vs national avg
San Diego, CA vs Santa Ana, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Diego, CA | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,720/mo | $1,580/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,510/mo | $1,390/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,290/mo | $1,185/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,080/mo | $995/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,360/mo | $1,250/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,800/mo | $3,500/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Santa Ana, CA costs $18,960/year vs San Diego, CA's $20,640/year.
Monthly savings
$140
Annual savings
$1,680
2-year infant care
$3,360
% difference
9%
Savings = San Diego, CA cost minus Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana, CA
20.6%
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 →Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA?
Santa Ana, CA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1580/month, vs. $1720/month in San Diego, CA — a $140/month gap. Santa Ana, CA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Diego, CA to Santa Ana, CA?
Infant center-based care in Santa Ana, CA runs $140/month less than in San Diego, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,360 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 Diego, CA is $490 above the national average, and Santa Ana, CA is $350 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Diego, CA · Daycare in Santa Ana, CA · All city comparisons