Daycare Cost: San Jose vs Washington (2026)
Washington infant center care runs $2400/month — $120/month less than San Jose's $2520/month. That's $1,440/year per child.
San Jose, CA
$2520
infant/month
+$1290 vs national avg
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
San Jose vs Washington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Jose | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,520/mo | $2,400/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,240/mo | $2,100/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $1,800/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,540/mo | $1,500/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,900/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,900/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, Washington costs $28,800/year vs San Jose's $30,240/year.
Monthly savings
$120
Annual savings
$1,440
2-year infant care
$2,880
% difference
5%
Savings = San Jose cost minus Washington 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
Washington
20.3%
of $142k 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 →Washington, DC — 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 Washington?
Washington is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2400/month, vs. $2520/month in San Jose — a $120/month gap. Washington wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Jose to Washington?
Infant center-based care in Washington runs $120/month less than in San Jose. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,880 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 Washington is $1170 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Jose · Daycare in Washington · All city comparisons