Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Minneapolis (2026)
Minneapolis infant center care runs $1610/month — $70/month less than Chicago's $1680/month. That's $840/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Minneapolis, MN
$1610
infant/month
+$380 vs national avg
Chicago vs Minneapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo | $1,610/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo | $1,410/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo | $1,210/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $1,010/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo | $1,270/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo | $3,330/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Minneapolis costs $19,320/year vs Chicago's $20,160/year.
Monthly savings
$70
Annual savings
$840
2-year infant care
$1,680
% difference
4%
Savings = Chicago cost minus Minneapolis cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Chicago or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1610/month, vs. $1680/month in Chicago — a $70/month gap. Minneapolis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago to Minneapolis?
Infant center-based care in Minneapolis runs $70/month less than in Chicago. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,680 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 Minneapolis is $380 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Minneapolis · All city comparisons