Daycare Cost: Chicago vs Santa Ana (2026)
Chicago infant center care runs $1680/month — $480/month less than Santa Ana's $2160/month. That's $5,760/year per child.
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
Santa Ana, CA
$2160
infant/month
+$930 vs national avg
Chicago vs Santa Ana — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,680/mo ✓ | $2,160/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,440/mo ✓ | $1,920/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,260/mo ✓ | $1,560/mo |
| School Age | $1,040/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,680/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,360/mo ✓ | $4,200/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 Santa Ana's $25,920/year.
Monthly savings
$480
Annual savings
$5,760
2-year infant care
$11,520
% difference
29%
Savings = Santa Ana 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
Santa Ana
25.3%
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 →Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana?
Chicago is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1680/month, vs. $2160/month in Santa Ana — a $480/month gap. Chicago wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Santa Ana to Chicago?
Infant center-based care in Chicago runs $480/month less than in Santa Ana. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $11,520 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 Santa Ana is $930 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago · Daycare in Santa Ana · All city comparisons