Daycare Cost: Chicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TX (2026)
Fort Worth, TX infant center care runs $1000/month — $650/month less than Chicago, IL's $1650/month. That's $7,800/year per child.
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Fort Worth, TX, TX
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Chicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TX — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago, IL | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,450/mo | $880/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,240/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $630/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,300/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,600/mo | $2,200/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Fort Worth, TX costs $12,000/year vs Chicago, IL's $19,800/year.
Monthly savings
$650
Annual savings
$7,800
2-year infant care
$15,600
% difference
65%
Savings = Chicago, IL cost minus Fort Worth, TX 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, IL
25.2%
of $78k median income
Fort Worth, TX
16.4%
of $73k 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.
Chicago, IL, IL — CCDF
Check eligibility →Fort Worth, TX, 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, IL or Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth, TX is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1650/month in Chicago, IL — a $650/month gap. Fort Worth, TX wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago, IL to Fort Worth, TX?
Infant center-based care in Fort Worth, TX runs $650/month less than in Chicago, IL. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $15,600 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, IL is $420 above the national average, and Fort Worth, TX is $230 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago, IL · Daycare in Fort Worth, TX · All city comparisons