Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Long Beach (2026)
Chicago infant center care runs $1680/month — $620/month less than Long Beach's $2300/month. That's $7,440/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Long Beach, CA
$2300
infant/month
+$1070 vs national avg
Chicago vs Long Beach — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo ✓ | $2,300/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo ✓ | $2,050/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo ✓ | $1,660/mo |
| School Age | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,410/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,790/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo ✓ | $4,480/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 Long Beach's $27,600/year.
Monthly savings
$620
Annual savings
$7,440
2-year infant care
$14,880
% difference
37%
Savings = Long Beach 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
Long Beach
27.0%
of $102k 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 →Long Beach, CA — 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 Long Beach?
Chicago is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1680/month, vs. $2300/month in Long Beach — a $620/month gap. Chicago wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Long Beach to Chicago?
Infant center-based care in Chicago runs $620/month less than in Long Beach. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $14,880 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 Long Beach is $1070 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Long Beach · All city comparisons