Daycare Cost in Sacramento, CA (2026)
Average daycare center prices for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children in the Sacramento metro area
A full-time daycare center in Sacramento costs $20,000 per year ($1,667/month) for an infant, making daycare 38% above the U.S. national average. Toddler care drops to $17,500/year and preschool to $15,000/year as staff-to-child ratios improve with age.
Compared to a full-time nanny in Sacramento ($36,000/year for an infant), daycare saves families approximately $16,000/year — the biggest reason daycare is the most popular childcare option in the metro. Use our calculator with zip code 95814 for a personalized estimate including tax savings.
Sacramento Daycare Cost by Age (2026)
| Age Group | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost | Weekly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–1) | $20,000 | $1,667 | $385 |
| Toddler (1–3) | $17,500 | $1,458 | $337 |
| Preschool (3–5) | $15,000 | $1,250 | $288 |
| School-Age (5–12) | $11,000 | $917 | $212 |
Costs are averages for licensed daycare centers in the Sacramento metro area, full-time care (5 days/week). Part-time schedules typically cost 60–75% of full-time rates. Sources: Care.com 2024 Cost of Care Survey, DOL National Database of Childcare Prices.
Daycare Center vs. In-Home Daycare in Sacramento
Licensed in-home daycares (family childcare homes) in Sacramento are typically cheaper than centers — they have lower overhead, smaller group sizes, and more personalized care, but usually less structured programming.
| Care Type | Infant/yr | Toddler/yr | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $20,000 | $17,500 | $15,000 |
| In-Home Daycare | $15,500 | $13,500 | $12,000 |
| In-home savings | $4,500 | $4,000 | $3,000 |
How Sacramento Daycare Compares to Other Care Options
Daycare is typically the most affordable regulated childcare option for a single child in Sacramento:
| Care Type | Annual (Infant) | Monthly | vs. Daycare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $20,000 | $1,667 | — |
| Nanny Share | $21,000 | $1,750 | +$1,000 |
| Au Pair | $22,000 | $1,833 | +$2,000 |
| Full-Time Nanny | $36,000 | $3,000 | +$16,000 |
See our Daycare vs. Nanny guide for a full comparison of cost, flexibility, and quality tradeoffs.
How to Save on Daycare in Sacramento
- Dependent Care FSA: Contribute up to $5,000 pre-tax per household — typical savings of $1,400–$2,000/year on Sacramento daycare bills.
- Federal Child & Dependent Care Credit: Claim 20–35% of up to $6,000 in childcare expenses as a direct tax credit.
- California subsidy programs: Families below income thresholds may qualify for California's state childcare assistance program — see our California Subsidies Guide.
- Sibling discounts: Many Sacramento daycare centers offer 5–15% off tuition for a second child.
- Join waitlists early: Popular Sacramento daycare centers often have 6–18 month waitlists. Apply during pregnancy to lock in spots and sometimes better rates.
- Consider in-home daycare: Save $4,500/year on infant care with a licensed in-home provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost in Sacramento?
Full-time daycare in Sacramento costs $20,000/year ($1,667/month) for infants, $17,500/year for toddlers, $15,000/year for preschoolers, and $11,000/year for school-age before/after care. Daycare here is 38% above the national average.
How much is infant daycare per month in Sacramento?
Infant daycare in Sacramento averages $1,667/month or $385/week. Infant care is the most expensive age group because state licensing requires more staff per child (typically 1:3 or 1:4 infant-to-caregiver ratios).
Are daycare centers in Sacramento cheaper than nannies?
Yes. A full-time nanny in Sacramento costs $36,000/year for an infant, while daycare is $20,000/year — a savings of $16,000/year by choosing daycare over a solo nanny. See nanny costs in Sacramento for details.
Does California offer daycare subsidies?
Yes. California runs a childcare assistance program for income-eligible families. Most states set thresholds around 85% of State Median Income or 150–200% of the federal poverty level. See our California Subsidies Guide for eligibility and how to apply.
Find Daycare in Sacramento
Some links may be affiliate links. Learn more
Get Your Personalized Sacramento Daycare Estimate
These are Sacramento metro averages. Your exact costs depend on your zip code, child's age, and schedule. Our free calculator includes tax savings.
Calculate Your Costs (Zip: 95814)