Daycare Cost: Georgia vs Florida (2026)
Georgia infant center care runs $900/month — $100/month less than Florida's $1000/month. That's $1,200/year per child.
Georgia
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Florida
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Georgia vs Florida — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Georgia | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $800/mo ✓ | $870/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $680/mo ✓ | $750/mo |
| School Age | $560/mo ✓ | $620/mo |
| Infant — Home | $700/mo ✓ | $780/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $2,400/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, Georgia costs $10,800/year vs Florida's $12,000/year.
Monthly savings
$100
Annual savings
$1,200
2-year infant care
$2,400
% difference
11%
Savings = Florida cost minus Georgia cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Georgia (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,200/mo
Max infant subsidy: $650/mo
Covers ~72% of average infant rate
Florida (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,500/mo
Max infant subsidy: $700/mo
Covers ~70% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Georgia or Florida?
Georgia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $1000/month in Florida — a $100/month gap. Georgia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Florida to Georgia?
Infant center-based care in Georgia runs $100/month less than in Florida. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,400 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Georgia can cost as much as suburbs in Florida.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Georgia is $330 below the national average, and Florida is $230 below.
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 Georgia · Daycare in Florida · All state comparisons · Compare cities