Daycare Cost: Los Angeles vs Indianapolis (2026)
Indianapolis infant center care runs $1000/month — $1340/month less than Los Angeles's $2340/month. That's $16,080/year per child.
Los Angeles, CA
$2340
infant/month
+$1110 vs national avg
Indianapolis, IN
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Los Angeles vs Indianapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Los Angeles | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,340/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,080/mo | $870/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,690/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,430/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,820/mo | $770/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,550/mo | $2,200/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Indianapolis costs $12,000/year vs Los Angeles's $28,080/year.
Monthly savings
$1,340
Annual savings
$16,080
2-year infant care
$32,160
% difference
134%
Savings = Los Angeles cost minus Indianapolis 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.
Los Angeles
27.4%
of $102k median income
Indianapolis
16.3%
of $73k 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.
Los Angeles, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Indianapolis, IN — 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 Los Angeles or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $2340/month in Los Angeles — a $1340/month gap. Indianapolis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Los Angeles to Indianapolis?
Infant center-based care in Indianapolis runs $1340/month less than in Los Angeles. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $32,160 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. Los Angeles is $1110 above the national average, and Indianapolis is $230 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Los Angeles · Daycare in Indianapolis · All city comparisons