Texas childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 254 counties
In Texas, median center-based infant care costs about $6,942 per year ($134/week) — about 13% below the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 11.4% of Texas's median household income ($60,697), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $5,858/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Texas childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $134 | $6,942 | 11.4% | $118 | $6,126 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $123 | $6,406 | 10.6% | $113 | $5,855 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $113 | $5,858 | 9.7% | $107 | $5,564 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $109 | $5,665 | 9.3% | $97 | $5,049 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Texas's median household income of $60,697. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Texas families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Texas, a year of center-based infant care ($6,942) is equal to about 11.4% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Texas sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($5,858/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Texas compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Texas:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (this state) | $6,942 | 11.4% | $5,858 |
| Missouri | $6,922 | 12.6% | $5,377 |
| Idaho | $6,917 | 12.9% | $5,906 |
| Wyoming | $7,154 | 11.4% | $5,835 |
| West Virginia | $6,714 | 14.7% | $5,819 |
| Tennessee | $6,605 | 12.6% | $5,720 |
By annual infant-care cost, Texas ranks #36 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Texas
County-level median prices we publish for Texas:
- Harris County — infant center care $9,134/yr (2018)
- Dallas County — infant center care $9,373/yr (2018)
- Tarrant County — infant center care $9,659/yr (2018)
- Bexar County — infant center care $8,666/yr (2018)
- Travis County — infant center care $10,509/yr (2018)
- Collin County — infant center care $9,441/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Texas?
In Texas, the median price of center-based infant care is about $6,942 per year ($134 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 13% below the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Texas?
Median center-based infant care in Texas costs about 11.4% of the state's median household income ($60,697). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Texas is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Texas?
Family (home-based) childcare in Texas is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $6,126 per year versus $6,942 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Texas childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Texas appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 254 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20