Daycare Cost: Tucson vs Washington (2026)
Tucson infant center care runs $900/month — $1500/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $18,000/year per child.
Tucson, AZ
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Tucson vs Washington — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Tucson | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $2,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $2,100/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $680/mo ✓ | $1,800/mo |
| School Age | $560/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Infant — Home | $680/mo ✓ | $1,900/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,160/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, Tucson costs $10,800/year vs Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$1,500
Annual savings
$18,000
2-year infant care
$36,000
% difference
167%
Savings = Washington 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.
Tucson
13.3%
of $81k 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.
Tucson, AZ — 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 Tucson or Washington?
Tucson is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $1500/month gap. Tucson wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Tucson?
Infant center-based care in Tucson runs $1500/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $36,000 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. Tucson is $330 below the national average, and Washington is $1170 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Tucson · Daycare in Washington · All city comparisons