Daycare Cost: Texas vs Colorado (2026)
Texas infant center care runs $900/month — $700/month less than Colorado's $1600/month. That's $8,400/year per child.
Texas
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Colorado
$1600
infant/month
+$370 vs national avg
Texas vs Colorado — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Texas | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $1,600/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $800/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $680/mo ✓ | $1,200/mo |
| School Age | $560/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Infant — Home | $700/mo ✓ | $1,200/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo ✓ | $3,200/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, Texas costs $10,800/year vs Colorado's $19,200/year.
Monthly savings
$700
Annual savings
$8,400
2-year infant care
$16,800
% difference
78%
Savings = Colorado cost minus Texas cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Texas (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,400/mo
Max infant subsidy: $680/mo
Covers ~76% of average infant rate
Colorado (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $7,200/mo
Max infant subsidy: $950/mo
Covers ~59% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Texas or Colorado?
Texas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $1600/month in Colorado — a $700/month gap. Texas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Colorado to Texas?
Infant center-based care in Texas runs $700/month less than in Colorado. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $16,800 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Texas can cost as much as suburbs in Colorado.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Texas is $330 below the national average, and Colorado is $370 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 Texas · Daycare in Colorado · All state comparisons · Compare cities