How much does child care cost in San Diego, and how do you get help paying for it?
Full-time infant care in San Diego County averages about $406 a week at a center and $318 a week in a licensed family child care home, roughly $16,500 to $21,100 a year, and preschool-age care runs about $290 to $293 a week, according to YMCA data reported by Axios in March 2026. Subsidies run through the county's Centralized Eligibility List and the YMCA Childcare Resource Service, but only about 1 in 5 eligible families gets a spot, so sign up early.
- Center infant care
- ~$406/week
- Center preschool
- ~$293/week
- Subsidy limit, family of 4
- $115,637/yr
- Eligible families served
- About 1 in 5
Countywide average, YMCA data via Axios, March 2026
About $15,000 a year
CDSS, effective July 1, 2026
YMCA Childcare Resource Service, 2026
The short version
- Center infant care averages ~$406/week and family child care homes ~$318/week countywide (YMCA data via Axios, March 2026).
- Zip-code averages swing widely: center infant care ran $164 to $672.50 a week in the YMCA's October 2026 table.
- 2026-27 subsidy income limit for a family of 4: $115,637 a year (85% of state median income, CDSS Bulletin 26-17).
- The YMCA said about 2,000 families (3,700 children) were on the county's subsidized care waitlist in May 2026.
- CalWORKs families get child care vouchers; call Access at 1-866-262-9881 or the YMCA at 619-521-3055 ext. 1565.
Plan on roughly $1,380 to $1,760 a month for full-time infant care in San Diego County, and about $1,270 a month for a preschooler, based on the weekly averages the YMCA of San Diego County compiles from local providers (reported by Axios on March 18, 2026). Prices depend heavily on zip code and on whether you choose a child care center or a licensed family child care home. We checked the YMCA's cost table, state subsidy rules and county program pages on November 3, 2026. If your child is 3 or 4, look at free options first in our TK and preschool guide.
How much is daycare per week in San Diego?
Average full-time child care cost, San Diego County
- Infant, child care centerMost expensive slot in the county
Newborn to about age 2
- Weekly
- $406
- Yearly
- ~$21,100
- Infant, family child care homeAbout $88/week less than a center
Licensed care in a provider's home
- Weekly
- $318
- Yearly
- ~$16,500
- Preschool, child care centerCompare with free TK at age 4
Ages 2 to 5
- Weekly
- $293
- Yearly
- ~$15,200
- Preschool, family child care homeNearly the same as a center
Ages 2 to 5
- Weekly
- $290
- Yearly
- ~$15,100
Weekly averages from YMCA data reported by Axios, March 18, 2026; yearly figures are weekly x 52, our math.
The gap between centers and home-based care is mostly an infant story. For babies, licensed family child care homes averaged about $88 a week less than centers; by preschool age the two were within $3. Axios also reported that full-time rates for infants and preschoolers ranged from $180 to $640 a week depending on location, with La Jolla highest for in-home care and Rancho Bernardo and Solana Beach highest for centers (February 2026 data). The YMCA's January 2026 dashboard adds required staff ratios: 1 adult per 4 infants and 1 per 12 preschoolers in centers, which is why infant care costs more.
Centers need one adult for every four infants, per the YMCA's 2026 dashboard, which drives up the price of baby care.
Weekly full-time averages in sample City of San Diego zip codes
| Zip (area) | Home: infant | Home: preschool | Center: infant | Center: preschool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92103 (Hillcrest/Mission Hills) | $317 | $285 | $596 | $407 |
| 92104 (North Park) | $381 | $350 | $486 | $360 |
| 92115 (College Area) | $408 | $361 | $455 | $322 |
| 92117 (Clairemont) | $350 | $327 | $494 | $366 |
| 92122 (University City) | $369 | $352 | $631 | $455 |
| 92128 (Rancho Bernardo) | $375 | $350 | $534 | $402 |
92103 (Hillcrest/Mission Hills)
- Home: infant
- $317
- Home: preschool
- $285
- Center: infant
- $596
- Center: preschool
- $407
92104 (North Park)
- Home: infant
- $381
- Home: preschool
- $350
- Center: infant
- $486
- Center: preschool
- $360
92115 (College Area)
- Home: infant
- $408
- Home: preschool
- $361
- Center: infant
- $455
- Center: preschool
- $322
92117 (Clairemont)
- Home: infant
- $350
- Home: preschool
- $327
- Center: infant
- $494
- Center: preschool
- $366
92122 (University City)
- Home: infant
- $369
- Home: preschool
- $352
- Center: infant
- $631
- Center: preschool
- $455
92128 (Rancho Bernardo)
- Home: infant
- $375
- Home: preschool
- $350
- Center: infant
- $534
- Center: preschool
- $402
Source: YMCA of San Diego County Childcare Resource Service, Cost of Child Care (data as of October 2026), checked Nov 3, 2026. Rounded to the dollar.
Who qualifies for subsidized child care in San Diego?
A family of four earning up to $115,637 a year can qualify for state-subsidized child care in 2026-27. That is 85% of state median income, set by California Department of Social Services Child Care Bulletin 26-17 (June 29, 2026) for families certified on or after July 1, 2026; the limit is $96,652 for a family of three. California State Preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds uses a higher ceiling (100% of state median income). Qualifying is not the same as getting a slot: KPBS reported in May 2026 that roughly 1 in 5 eligible families can get state-funded care, and the YMCA's own dashboard puts it at 22% of eligible children.
How to apply for child care help in San Diego County
- 01
On CalWORKs now
Call Access at 1-866-262-9881 or ask your CalWORKs Employment Services case manager about a child care voucher, per the County of San Diego.
- 02
Left CalWORKs in the past two years
Contact an Alternative Payment Program: YMCA Childcare Resource Service, 619-521-3055 ext. 1565, or Child Development Associates, 619-427-4411 ext. 1400.
- 03
Never on CalWORKs
Sign up for the San Diego County Centralized Eligibility List at childcaresandiego.com or 1-800-521-0560. Agencies call you when funding opens, then screen you.
- 04
Pick a provider early
The Centralized Eligibility List asks families to choose a provider before an agency calls. For free referrals, call the YMCA at 1-800-481-2151.
The YMCA's January 2026 dashboard found most county zip codes have fewer than 3 licensed infant slots per 10 infants.
Why is it so hard to find infant care in San Diego?
75%
Of the county is a child care desert for infants
YMCA CRS dashboard, January 2026
7
Zip codes with room for at least half their infants
Same source
22%
Of eligible children in subsidized care
Same source
Start touring infant programs months before you need them. The YMCA's dashboard (supply as of January 2026) found that 48% of San Diego County is a child care desert for children under 5 and 75% for infants. Use the YMCA's free referral line (1-800-481-2151) to find licensed providers with openings, and check any provider's license and inspection history with California Community Care Licensing (619-767-2200 for family child care home questions, per the county). Moving here on orders? Military families have separate on-base options; see our PCS to San Diego checklist.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 3, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryCost of Child Care
YMCA of San Diego County, Childcare Resource Service · Checked November 3, 2026 (data as of October 2026)
Weekly averages by zip code and care type
YMCA of San Diego County · January 2026
Child care deserts, ratios, 22% of eligible children served, infant slot shortage
California Department of Social Services · June 29, 2026
85% SMI ceilings by family size, effective July 1, 2026 (copy hosted by a community college district)
- PrimaryCalWORKs Child Care Services
County of San Diego HHSA · Checked November 3, 2026
Voucher eligibility, Alternative Payment Programs, phone numbers, CEL
City of San Diego · Checked November 3, 2026
How the CEL works, contact
Axios San Diego · March 18, 2026
Countywide weekly averages and annual estimates from YMCA data
Axios San Diego · March 18, 2026
$180-$640 weekly range, highest-cost areas
- NewsSan Diego childcare system strained as federal funding, state budget and lawsuit create uncertainty
KPBS · May 13, 2026
~2,000 families on waitlist, 1 in 5 served
Axios San Diego · March 18, 2026
Waits can last years; earlier 7,000-family figure credited to CBS8