Daycare Cost: Chicago, IL vs Long Beach, CA (2026)
Chicago, IL infant center care runs $1650/month — $100/month less than Long Beach, CA's $1750/month. That's $1,200/year per child.
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Long Beach, CA, CA
$1750
infant/month
+$520 vs national avg
Chicago, IL vs Long Beach, CA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago, IL | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo ✓ | $1,750/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,450/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,240/mo ✓ | $1,315/mo |
| School Age | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,300/mo ✓ | $1,385/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,600/mo ✓ | $3,850/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Chicago, IL costs $19,800/year vs Long Beach, CA's $21,000/year.
Monthly savings
$100
Annual savings
$1,200
2-year infant care
$2,400
% difference
6%
Savings = Long Beach, CA cost minus Chicago, IL 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
Long Beach, CA
22.8%
of $92k 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 →Long Beach, CA, 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, IL or Long Beach, CA?
Chicago, IL is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1650/month, vs. $1750/month in Long Beach, CA — a $100/month gap. Chicago, IL wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Long Beach, CA to Chicago, IL?
Infant center-based care in Chicago, IL runs $100/month less than in Long Beach, CA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,400 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 Long Beach, CA is $520 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago, IL · Daycare in Long Beach, CA · All city comparisons