Daycare Cost: San Diego vs Washington (2026)
San Diego infant center care runs $2250/month — $150/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $1,800/year per child.
San Diego, CA
$2250
infant/month
+$1020 vs national avg
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
San Diego vs Washington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Diego | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,250/mo ✓ | $2,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $2,000/mo ✓ | $2,100/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,630/mo ✓ | $1,800/mo |
| School Age | $1,380/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,750/mo ✓ | $1,900/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,380/mo | $4,200/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 Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$150
Annual savings
$1,800
2-year infant care
$3,600
% difference
7%
Savings = Washington 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
Washington
20.3%
of $142k 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 →Washington, DC — 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 Washington?
San Diego is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2250/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $150/month gap. San Diego wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to San Diego?
Infant center-based care in San Diego runs $150/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $3,600 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 Washington is $1170 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Diego · Daycare in Washington · All city comparisons