Daycare Cost: Chicago, IL vs Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Virginia Beach, VA infant center care runs $1130/month — $520/month less than Chicago, IL's $1650/month. That's $6,240/year per child.
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Virginia Beach, VA, VA
$1130
infant/month
-$100 vs national avg
Chicago, IL vs Virginia Beach, VA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,650/mo | $1,130/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,450/mo | $995/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,240/mo | $850/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,040/mo | $710/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,300/mo | $895/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,600/mo | $2,500/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Virginia Beach, VA costs $13,560/year vs Chicago, IL's $19,800/year.
Monthly savings
$520
Annual savings
$6,240
2-year infant care
$12,480
% difference
46%
Savings = Chicago, IL cost minus Virginia Beach, VA 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
Virginia Beach, VA
15.5%
of $87k 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 →Virginia Beach, VA, VA — 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
Virginia Beach, VA is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1130/month, vs. $1650/month in Chicago, IL — a $520/month gap. Virginia Beach, VA wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Chicago, IL to Virginia Beach, VA?
Infant center-based care in Virginia Beach, VA runs $520/month less than in Chicago, IL. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,480 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 Virginia Beach, VA is $100 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Chicago, IL · Daycare in Virginia Beach, VA · All city comparisons