Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Columbus (2026)
Columbus infant center care runs $1050/month — $630/month less than Chicago's $1680/month. That's $7,560/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Columbus, OH
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Chicago vs Columbus — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $660/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo | $810/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo | $2,420/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Columbus costs $12,600/year vs Chicago's $20,160/year.
Monthly savings
$630
Annual savings
$7,560
2-year infant care
$15,120
% difference
60%
Savings = Chicago cost minus Columbus cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Chicago or Columbus?
Columbus is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $1680/month in Chicago — a $630/month gap. Columbus wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago to Columbus?
Infant center-based care in Columbus runs $630/month less than in Chicago. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $15,120 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 Columbus is $180 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Columbus · All city comparisons