Daycare Cost in Dallas, TX (2026)
Infant center-based care averages $1010/month in Dallas. 18% below national avg. Toddler care runs $900/month, preschool $760/month.
Dallas average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1010
18% below national avg
Toddler (center)
$900
$10,800/year
Preschool (center)
$760
$9,120/year
School Age
$630
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$780
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,460
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Dallas vs. Texas vs. National Average
How Dallas compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Dallas |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,010/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $900/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo |
| School Age — Center | $630/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $780/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Dallas
Full-time infant center care in Dallas costs $12,120/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Dallas families pay $2,640 less per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$12,120
Toddler / year
$10,800
Preschool / year
$9,120
School Age / year
$7,560
Childcare Subsidies in Texas
Texas participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,400/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $680/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Dallas
How much does daycare cost in Dallas?
Infant center-based daycare in Dallas averages $1010/month in 2026. That's $220 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.
How does Dallas compare to the Texas state average?
Dallas infant daycare runs about $110/month (12%) above the Texas statewide average of $900/month. Urban metros typically cost more than state averages due to higher rent, wages, and demand. See all daycare costs in Texas.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Dallas?
Yes. In Dallas: infant care ($1010/month) → toddler care ($900/month, 11% drop) → preschool ($760/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($630/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Dallas?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Dallas averages $2,460/month versus $1010/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Texas daycare costs
See the full Texas statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Texas state costs →Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →