Daycare Cost: Chicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OK (2026)
Oklahoma City, OK infant center care runs $800/month — $850/month less than Chicago, IL's $1650/month. That's $10,200/year per child.
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Oklahoma City, OK, OK
$800
infant/month
-$430 vs national avg
Chicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OK — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo | $800/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,450/mo | $705/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,240/mo | $600/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $505/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,300/mo | $635/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,600/mo | $1,800/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Oklahoma City, OK costs $9,600/year vs Chicago, IL's $19,800/year.
Monthly savings
$850
Annual savings
$10,200
2-year infant care
$20,400
% difference
106%
Savings = Chicago, IL cost minus Oklahoma City, OK 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
Oklahoma City, OK
15.6%
of $61k 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 →Oklahoma City, OK, OK — 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 Oklahoma City, OK?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper for infant center-based care at $800/month, vs. $1650/month in Chicago, IL — a $850/month gap. Oklahoma City, OK wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago, IL to Oklahoma City, OK?
Infant center-based care in Oklahoma City, OK runs $850/month less than in Chicago, IL. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $20,400 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 Oklahoma City, OK is $430 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago, IL · Daycare in Oklahoma City, OK · All city comparisons