Daycare Cost: San Jose vs Arlington (2026)
Arlington infant center care runs $950/month — $1570/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $18,840/year per child.
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
Arlington, TX
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
San Jose vs Arlington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Jose | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,520/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,240/mo | $840/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $710/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,540/mo | $590/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $740/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,900/mo | $2,310/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Arlington costs $11,400/year vs San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$1,570
Annual savings
$18,840
2-year infant care
$37,680
% difference
165%
Savings = San Jose cost minus Arlington 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 Jose
29.5%
of $102k median income
Arlington
13.9%
of $82k 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 Jose, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Arlington, TX — 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 Jose or Arlington?
Arlington is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $1570/month gap. Arlington wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to Arlington?
Infant center-based care in Arlington runs $1570/month less than in San Jose. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $37,680 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 Jose is $1290 above the national average, and Arlington is $280 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Jose · Daycare in Arlington · All city comparisons