Daycare Cost: Arizona vs California (2026)
Arizona infant center care runs $1000/month — $800/month less than California's $1800/month. That's $9,600/year per child.
Arizona
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
California
$1800
infant/month
+$570 vs national avg
Arizona vs California — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Arizona | California |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,000/mo ✓ | $1,800/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $880/mo ✓ | $1,600/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo ✓ | $1,300/mo |
| School Age | $620/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $750/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,400/mo ✓ | $3,500/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Arizona costs $12,000/year vs California's $21,600/year.
Monthly savings
$800
Annual savings
$9,600
2-year infant care
$19,200
% difference
80%
Savings = California cost minus Arizona cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Arizona (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,600/mo
Max infant subsidy: $700/mo
Covers ~70% of average infant rate
California (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $7,800/mo
Max infant subsidy: $1,100/mo
Covers ~61% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Arizona or California?
Arizona is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1800/month in California — a $800/month gap. Arizona wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from California to Arizona?
Infant center-based care in Arizona runs $800/month less than in California. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,200 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Arizona can cost as much as suburbs in California.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Arizona is $230 below the national average, and California is $570 above.
Do costs vary a lot within each state?
Yes — significantly. Major metro areas typically run 20–35% above the statewide average shown here. For example, San Francisco costs nearly double the California state average. Use the city comparison tool to compare specific metro areas.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Arizona · Daycare in California · All state comparisons · Compare cities