Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Baltimore (2026)
Chicago infant center care runs $1680/month — $80/month less than Baltimore's $1760/month. That's $960/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Chicago vs Baltimore — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| School Age | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,380/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo ✓ | $3,520/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Chicago costs $20,160/year vs Baltimore's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$80
Annual savings
$960
2-year infant care
$1,920
% difference
5%
Savings = Baltimore cost minus Chicago 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.
Chicago
23.1%
of $87k median income
Baltimore
19.5%
of $108k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
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.
Chicago, IL — CCDF
Check eligibility →Baltimore, MD — 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 Chicago or Baltimore?
Chicago is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1680/month, vs. $1760/month in Baltimore — a $80/month gap. Chicago wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Baltimore to Chicago?
Infant center-based care in Chicago runs $80/month less than in Baltimore. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,920 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. Chicago is $450 above the national average, and Baltimore is $530 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Baltimore · All city comparisons