Daycare Cost: Virginia Beach vs Bakersfield (2026)
Virginia Beach infant center care runs $1470/month — $240/month less than Bakersfield's $1710/month. That's $2,880/year per child.
Virginia Beach, VA
$1470
infant/month
+$240 vs national avg
Bakersfield, CA
$1710
infant/month
+$480 vs national avg
Virginia Beach vs Bakersfield — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Virginia Beach | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,470/mo ✓ | $1,710/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,290/mo ✓ | $1,520/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,240/mo |
| School Age | $920/mo ✓ | $1,050/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,160/mo ✓ | $1,330/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,050/mo ✓ | $3,330/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Virginia Beach costs $17,640/year vs Bakersfield's $20,520/year.
Monthly savings
$240
Annual savings
$2,880
2-year infant care
$5,760
% difference
16%
Savings = Bakersfield cost minus Virginia Beach 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.
Virginia Beach
18.8%
of $94k median income
Bakersfield
20.0%
of $102k 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.
Virginia Beach, VA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Bakersfield, CA — 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 Virginia Beach or Bakersfield?
Virginia Beach is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1470/month, vs. $1710/month in Bakersfield — a $240/month gap. Virginia Beach wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Bakersfield to Virginia Beach?
Infant center-based care in Virginia Beach runs $240/month less than in Bakersfield. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $5,760 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. Virginia Beach is $240 above the national average, and Bakersfield is $480 above.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Virginia Beach · Daycare in Bakersfield · All city comparisons