Daycare Cost: Chicago, IL vs New Orleans, LA (2026)
New Orleans, LA infant center care runs $950/month — $700/month less than Chicago, IL's $1650/month. That's $8,400/year per child.
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
New Orleans, LA, LA
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Chicago, IL vs New Orleans, LA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,450/mo | $835/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,240/mo | $715/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $600/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,300/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,600/mo | $2,100/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, New Orleans, LA costs $11,400/year vs Chicago, IL's $19,800/year.
Monthly savings
$700
Annual savings
$8,400
2-year infant care
$16,800
% difference
74%
Savings = Chicago, IL cost minus New Orleans, LA 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
New Orleans, LA
19.7%
of $58k 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 →New Orleans, LA, LA — 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 New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans, LA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $1650/month in Chicago, IL — a $700/month gap. New Orleans, LA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA?
Infant center-based care in New Orleans, LA runs $700/month less than in Chicago, IL. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $16,800 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 New Orleans, LA is $280 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago, IL · Daycare in New Orleans, LA · All city comparisons