Daycare Cost: Virginia vs Texas (2026)
Texas infant center care runs $900/month — $500/month less than Virginia's $1400/month. That's $6,000/year per child.
Virginia
$1400
infant/month
+$170 vs national avg
Texas
$900
infant/month
-$330 vs national avg
Virginia vs Texas — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Virginia | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,400/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,230/mo | $800/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo | $680/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $880/mo | $560/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,100/mo | $700/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,900/mo | $2,200/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 Virginia's $16,800/year.
Monthly savings
$500
Annual savings
$6,000
2-year infant care
$12,000
% difference
56%
Savings = Virginia cost minus Texas cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Virginia (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $7,000/mo
Max infant subsidy: $950/mo
Covers ~68% of average infant rate
Texas (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,400/mo
Max infant subsidy: $680/mo
Covers ~76% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Virginia or Texas?
Texas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $900/month, vs. $1400/month in Virginia — a $500/month gap. Texas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Virginia to Texas?
Infant center-based care in Texas runs $500/month less than in Virginia. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,000 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 Virginia.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Virginia is $170 above the national average, and Texas is $330 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 Virginia · Daycare in Texas · All state comparisons · Compare cities