Daycare Cost: Columbus, OH vs Cincinnati, OH (2026)
Cincinnati, OH infant center care runs $1040/month — $50/month less than Columbus, OH's $1090/month. That's $600/year per child.
Columbus, OH, OH
$1090
infant/month
-$140 vs national avg
Cincinnati, OH, OH
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Columbus, OH vs Cincinnati, OH — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Columbus, OH | Cincinnati, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,090/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo | $915/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $685/mo | $655/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $860/mo | $820/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,400/mo | $2,300/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Cincinnati, OH costs $12,480/year vs Columbus, OH's $13,080/year.
Monthly savings
$50
Annual savings
$600
2-year infant care
$1,200
% difference
5%
Savings = Columbus, OH cost minus Cincinnati, OH 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.
Columbus, OH
19.9%
of $66k median income
Cincinnati, OH
19.0%
of $66k 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.
Columbus, OH, OH — CCDF
Check eligibility →Cincinnati, OH, OH — 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 Columbus, OH or Cincinnati, OH?
Cincinnati, OH is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $1090/month in Columbus, OH — a $50/month gap. Cincinnati, OH wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Columbus, OH to Cincinnati, OH?
Infant center-based care in Cincinnati, OH runs $50/month less than in Columbus, OH. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $1,200 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. Columbus, OH is $140 below the national average, and Cincinnati, OH is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Columbus, OH · Daycare in Cincinnati, OH · All city comparisons