Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Dallas (2026)
Dallas infant center care runs $1010/month — $670/month less than Chicago's $1680/month. That's $8,040/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
Chicago vs Dallas — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo | $1,010/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo | $900/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo | $760/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $630/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo | $2,460/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Dallas costs $12,120/year vs Chicago's $20,160/year.
Monthly savings
$670
Annual savings
$8,040
2-year infant care
$16,080
% difference
66%
Savings = Chicago cost minus Dallas 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
Dallas
14.8%
of $82k 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 →Dallas, TX — 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 Dallas?
Dallas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1010/month, vs. $1680/month in Chicago — a $670/month gap. Dallas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago to Dallas?
Infant center-based care in Dallas runs $670/month less than in Chicago. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $16,080 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 Dallas is $220 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Dallas · All city comparisons