How Much Does Daycare Cost in Joliet, IL, IL?
Infant center-based care averages $1400/month in Joliet, IL. 14% above national avg. Toddler care runs $1200/month, preschool $1050/month.
Joliet, IL average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1400
14% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$1200
$14,400/year
Preschool (center)
$1050
$12,600/year
School Age
$870
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1100
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,800
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Joliet, IL vs. Illinois vs. National Average
How Joliet, IL compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $1,200/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo |
| School Age — Center | $870/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,100/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,800/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Joliet, IL
Full-time infant center care in Joliet, IL costs $16,800/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Joliet, IL families pay $2,040 more per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$16,800
Toddler / year
$14,400
Preschool / year
$12,600
School Age / year
$10,440
Childcare Subsidies in Illinois
Illinois participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $6,800/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $950/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Joliet, IL
How much does daycare cost in Joliet, IL?
Infant center-based daycare in Joliet, IL averages $1400/month in 2026. That's $170 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher local wages and demand drive prices up in this metro area.
How does Joliet, IL compare to the Illinois state average?
Joliet, IL is right at the Illinois statewide average for infant daycare. See all daycare costs in Illinois.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Joliet, IL?
Yes. In Joliet, IL: infant care ($1400/month) → toddler care ($1200/month, 14% drop) → preschool ($1050/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($870/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Joliet, IL?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Joliet, IL averages $2,800/month versus $1400/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Illinois daycare costs
See the full Illinois statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Illinois state costs →Compare all 100 cities
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Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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