Daycare Cost: San Jose vs Tucson (2026)
Tucson infant center care runs $900/month — $1620/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $19,440/year per child.
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
Tucson, AZ
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
San Jose vs Tucson — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Jose | Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,520/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,240/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,540/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,900/mo | $2,160/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tucson costs $10,800/year vs San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$1,620
Annual savings
$19,440
2-year infant care
$38,880
% difference
180%
Savings = San Jose cost minus Tucson 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
Tucson
13.3%
of $81k 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 →Tucson, 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 or Tucson?
Tucson is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $1620/month gap. Tucson wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to Tucson?
Infant center-based care in Tucson runs $1620/month less than in San Jose. 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 Jose is $1290 above the national average, and Tucson is $330 below.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Jose · Daycare in Tucson · All city comparisons