Childcare costs in San Diego County, CA
$19,719 a year for center-based infant care - 20.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in San Diego County, CA is $19,719/year, while family childcare is $13,045/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 20.3% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $13,999/year, and preschool-age care is $12,616/year.
San Diego County vs. the nation
San Diego County, CA runs $19,719 a year for center-based infant care, 106% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 2% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 20.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $19,719/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +106%
- National rank
- #2,606 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 20.3%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $19,719
- Center Infant/yr
- $13,045
- Family Infant/yr
- $96,974
- Median Income
- 20.3%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $19,719 | $13,045 |
| Toddler | $13,999 | $12,380 |
| Preschool | $12,616 | $12,380 |
| School Age | $11,385 | $9,384 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where San Diego County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$19,719 more affordable than 2% of 2,662 US counties
Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022
What These Numbers Mean for San Diego County Families
San Diego County's median household income of $96,974 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 20.3% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 13.3 points.At over 20% of income, San Diego County qualifies as an affordability desert, counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share.
For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 14 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $13,296 |
| 2009 | $13,781 |
| 2010 | $14,639 |
| 2011 | $15,497 |
| 2012 | $16,355 |
| 2013 | $15,549 |
| 2014 | $14,743 |
| 2015 | $15,694 |
| 2016 | $16,644 |
| 2017 | $16,859 |
| 2018 | $17,074 |
| 2019 | $17,289 |
| 2020 | $17,505 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $19,719 |
What this means for San Diego County families
Infant center care here takes 20.3% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 20.3% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
- Family childcare homes run $13,045/year for infants, about $6,674 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how San Diego County compares against the cheapest counties in California. Cheapest in California
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.