Daycare Cost: New York vs Chicago (2026)
Chicago infant center care runs $1680/month — $1080/month less than New York's $2760/month. That's $12,960/year per child.
New York, NY
$2760
infant/month
+$1530 vs national avg
Chicago, IL
$1680
infant/month
+$450 vs national avg
New York vs Chicago — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New York | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,760/mo | $1,680/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,440/mo | $1,440/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $2,070/mo | $1,260/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,730/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,250/mo | $1,320/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,370/mo | $3,360/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 New York's $33,120/year.
Monthly savings
$1,080
Annual savings
$12,960
2-year infant care
$25,920
% difference
64%
Savings = New York cost minus Chicago cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in New York or Chicago?
Chicago is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1680/month, vs. $2760/month in New York — a $1080/month gap. Chicago wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York to Chicago?
Infant center-based care in Chicago runs $1080/month less than in New York. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $25,920 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. New York is $1530 above the national average, and Chicago is $450 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New York · Daycare in Chicago · All city comparisons