Daycare Cost: San Francisco vs Houston (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $1620/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $19,440/year per child.
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
San Francisco vs Houston — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,660/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,370/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,920/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,630/mo | $640/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,070/mo | $800/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,180/mo | $2,530/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Houston costs $12,480/year vs San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$1,620
Annual savings
$19,440
2-year infant care
$38,880
% difference
156%
Savings = San Francisco cost minus Houston cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in San Francisco or Houston?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $1620/month gap. Houston wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $1620/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $38,880 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 Francisco is $1430 above the national average, and Houston is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Francisco · Daycare in Houston · All city comparisons