Daycare Cost: Anaheim, CA vs Chicago, IL (2026)
Chicago, IL infant center care runs $1650/month — $30/month less than Anaheim, CA's $1680/month. That's $360/year per child.
Anaheim, CA, CA
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Anaheim, CA vs Chicago, IL — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,480/mo | $1,450/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo | $1,240/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,055/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,330/mo | $1,300/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,700/mo | $3,600/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Chicago, IL costs $19,800/year vs Anaheim, CA's $20,160/year.
Monthly savings
$30
Annual savings
$360
2-year infant care
$720
% difference
2%
Savings = Anaheim, CA cost minus Chicago, IL cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Anaheim, CA
21.9%
of $92k median income
Chicago, IL
25.2%
of $78k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Anaheim, CA, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Chicago, IL, IL — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Anaheim, CA or Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1650/month, vs. $1680/month in Anaheim, CA — a $30/month gap. Chicago, IL wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Anaheim, CA to Chicago, IL?
Infant center-based care in Chicago, IL runs $30/month less than in Anaheim, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $720 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Anaheim, CA is $450 above the national average, and Chicago, IL is $420 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Anaheim, CA · Daycare in Chicago, IL · All city comparisons