Daycare Cost: Philadelphia vs Indianapolis (2026)
Indianapolis infant center care runs $1000/month — $320/month less than Philadelphia's $1320/month. That's $3,840/year per child.
Philadelphia, PA
$1320
infant/month
+$90 vs national avg
Indianapolis, IN
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Philadelphia vs Indianapolis — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Philadelphia | Indianapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,320/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,170/mo | $870/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $990/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $830/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,020/mo | $770/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,860/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 Philadelphia's $15,840/year.
Monthly savings
$320
Annual savings
$3,840
2-year infant care
$7,680
% difference
32%
Savings = Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia
19.4%
of $82k 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.
Philadelphia, PA — 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 Philadelphia or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1320/month in Philadelphia — a $320/month gap. Indianapolis wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Philadelphia to Indianapolis?
Infant center-based care in Indianapolis runs $320/month less than in Philadelphia. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,680 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. Philadelphia is $90 above the national average, and Indianapolis is $230 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Philadelphia · Daycare in Indianapolis · All city comparisons