Daycare Cost: Illinois vs Indiana (2026)
Indiana infant center care runs $1000/month — $400/month less than Illinois's $1400/month. That's $4,800/year per child.
Illinois
$1400
infant/month
+$170 vs national avg
Indiana
$1000
infant/month
-$230 vs national avg
Illinois vs Indiana — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Illinois | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,400/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,200/mo | $870/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo | $750/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $870/mo | $620/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,100/mo | $770/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,800/mo | $2,200/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Indiana costs $12,000/year vs Illinois's $16,800/year.
Monthly savings
$400
Annual savings
$4,800
2-year infant care
$9,600
% difference
40%
Savings = Illinois cost minus Indiana cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Illinois (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $6,800/mo
Max infant subsidy: $950/mo
Covers ~68% of average infant rate
Indiana (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $5,500/mo
Max infant subsidy: $700/mo
Covers ~70% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Illinois or Indiana?
Indiana is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1000/month, vs. $1400/month in Illinois — a $400/month gap. Indiana wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Illinois to Indiana?
Infant center-based care in Indiana runs $400/month less than in Illinois. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $9,600 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Indiana can cost as much as suburbs in Illinois.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Illinois is $170 above the national average, and Indiana is $230 below.
Do costs vary a lot within each state?
Yes — significantly. Major metro areas typically run 20–35% above the statewide average shown here. For example, San Francisco costs nearly double the California state average. Use the city comparison tool to compare specific metro areas.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Illinois · Daycare in Indiana · All state comparisons · Compare cities