How Much Does Daycare Cost in Cleveland, OH, OH?
Infant center-based care averages $1000/month in Cleveland, OH. 19% below national avg. Toddler care runs $880/month, preschool $750/month.
Cleveland, OH average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1000
19% below national avg
Toddler (center)
$880
$10,560/year
Preschool (center)
$750
$9,000/year
School Age
$630
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$790
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,200
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Cleveland, OH vs. Ohio vs. National Average
How Cleveland, OH compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Cleveland, OH |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,000/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $880/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $750/mo |
| School Age — Center | $630/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $790/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,200/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Cleveland, OH
Full-time infant center care in Cleveland, OH costs $12,000/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Cleveland, OH families pay $2,760 less per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$12,000
Toddler / year
$10,560
Preschool / year
$9,000
School Age / year
$7,560
Childcare Subsidies in Ohio
Ohio participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,600/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $700/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Cleveland, OH
How much does daycare cost in Cleveland, OH?
Infant center-based daycare in Cleveland, OH averages $1000/month in 2026. That's $230 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.
How does Cleveland, OH compare to the Ohio state average?
Cleveland, OH is right at the Ohio statewide average for infant daycare. See all daycare costs in Ohio.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Cleveland, OH?
Yes. In Cleveland, OH: infant care ($1000/month) → toddler care ($880/month, 12% drop) → preschool ($750/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($630/month, 37% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Cleveland, OH?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Cleveland, OH averages $2,200/month versus $1000/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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