Daycare Cost: San Francisco vs Phoenix (2026)
Phoenix infant center care runs $1050/month — $1610/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $19,320/year per child.
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Phoenix, AZ
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
San Francisco vs Phoenix — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,660/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,370/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,920/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,630/mo | $650/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,070/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,180/mo | $2,520/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Phoenix costs $12,600/year vs San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$1,610
Annual savings
$19,320
2-year infant care
$38,640
% difference
153%
Savings = San Francisco cost minus Phoenix cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in San Francisco or Phoenix?
Phoenix is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $1610/month gap. Phoenix wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Phoenix?
Infant center-based care in Phoenix runs $1610/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $38,640 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 Phoenix is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Francisco · Daycare in Phoenix · All city comparisons