Daycare Cost: San Francisco vs Santa Ana (2026)
Santa Ana infant center care runs $2160/month — $500/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $6,000/year per child.
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Santa Ana, CA
$2160
infant/month
+$930 vs national avg
San Francisco vs Santa Ana — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,660/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,370/mo | $1,920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,920/mo | $1,560/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,630/mo | $1,320/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,070/mo | $1,680/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,180/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, Santa Ana costs $25,920/year vs San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$500
Annual savings
$6,000
2-year infant care
$12,000
% difference
23%
Savings = San Francisco cost minus Santa Ana 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 Francisco
31.2%
of $102k median income
Santa Ana
25.3%
of $102k 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 Francisco, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Santa Ana, 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 Francisco or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2160/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $500/month gap. Santa Ana wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Santa Ana?
Infant center-based care in Santa Ana runs $500/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,000 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 Santa Ana is $930 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Francisco · Daycare in Santa Ana · All city comparisons