Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Indianapolis (2026)
Indianapolis infant center care runs $1000/month — $680/month less than Chicago's $1680/month. That's $8,160/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Indianapolis, IN
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Chicago vs Indianapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo | $870/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo | $770/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/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, Indianapolis costs $12,000/year vs Chicago's $20,160/year.
Monthly savings
$680
Annual savings
$8,160
2-year infant care
$16,320
% difference
68%
Savings = Chicago cost minus Indianapolis cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Chicago or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1680/month in Chicago — a $680/month gap. Indianapolis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago to Indianapolis?
Infant center-based care in Indianapolis runs $680/month less than in Chicago. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $16,320 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 Indianapolis is $230 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Indianapolis · All city comparisons