Daycare Cost: New York City, NY vs Chicago, IL (2026)
Chicago, IL infant center care runs $1650/month — $550/month less than New York City, NY's $2200/month. That's $6,600/year per child.
New York City, NY, NY
$2200
infant/month
+$970 vs national avg
Chicago, IL, IL
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
New York City, NY vs Chicago, IL — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New York City, NY | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,200/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,940/mo | $1,450/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,650/mo | $1,240/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,380/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,740/mo | $1,300/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,800/mo | $3,600/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Chicago, IL costs $19,800/year vs New York City, NY's $26,400/year.
Monthly savings
$550
Annual savings
$6,600
2-year infant care
$13,200
% difference
33%
Savings = New York City, NY cost minus Chicago, IL 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.
New York City, NY
34.8%
of $76k median income
Chicago, IL
25.2%
of $78k 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.
New York City, NY, NY — CCDF
Check eligibility →Chicago, IL, IL — 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 New York City, NY or Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1650/month, vs. $2200/month in New York City, NY — a $550/month gap. Chicago, IL wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York City, NY to Chicago, IL?
Infant center-based care in Chicago, IL runs $550/month less than in New York City, NY. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $13,200 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. New York City, NY is $970 above the national average, and Chicago, IL is $420 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New York City, NY · Daycare in Chicago, IL · All city comparisons