Daycare Cost: San Jose, CA vs Tucson, AZ (2026)
Tucson, AZ infant center care runs $880/month — $1170/month less than San Jose, CA's $2050/month. That's $14,040/year per child.
San Jose, CA, CA
$2050
infant/month
+$820 vs national avg
Tucson, AZ, AZ
$880
infant/month
-$350 vs national avg
San Jose, CA vs Tucson, AZ — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Jose, CA | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,050/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,800/mo | $775/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,540/mo | $660/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,290/mo | $555/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,620/mo | $695/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,500/mo | $1,980/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tucson, AZ costs $10,560/year vs San Jose, CA's $24,600/year.
Monthly savings
$1,170
Annual savings
$14,040
2-year infant care
$28,080
% difference
133%
Savings = San Jose, CA cost minus Tucson, AZ 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, CA
26.8%
of $92k median income
Tucson, AZ
14.5%
of $73k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Tucson, AZ, AZ — 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, CA or Tucson, AZ?
Tucson, AZ is cheaper for infant center-based care at $880/month, vs. $2050/month in San Jose, CA — a $1170/month gap. Tucson, AZ wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose, CA to Tucson, AZ?
Infant center-based care in Tucson, AZ runs $1170/month less than in San Jose, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $28,080 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, CA is $820 above the national average, and Tucson, AZ is $350 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Jose, CA · Daycare in Tucson, AZ · All city comparisons