What is the average daycare cost in Illinois?

For 2022, the population-weighted median price for infant care at a center in Illinois was $278 per week in the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. That is a statewide reference point, not a provider quote; compare the county where you need care before budgeting.

How much is Illinois daycare per month?

A planning conversion of $278 per week is about $1,205 per month, calculated as weekly price × 52 ÷ 12. Providers may bill weekly, monthly, or on another schedule, so use the conversion to compare options and confirm the provider's own billing terms.

Why do daycare costs vary across Illinois counties?

The published 2022 infant center-based county figures in Illinois range from $131 in Hamilton County to $374 in DuPage County. A state median summarizes the data, while a county-level figure is usually a better starting point for a local search.

Are these current Illinois daycare prices?

No. These are the latest official 2022 figures currently available in the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. They are useful for comparing locations and building a baseline, but a family should request current tuition, registration-fee, and schedule information directly from providers.

Can families get help paying for child care in Illinois?

Eligibility for child care financial assistance varies by state and program. Childcare.gov directs families to state and territory resources, and eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit when care enables work or a job search. Check program and tax requirements before relying on either option.

COST DATA

Illinois Daycare Cost by County: 2022 Official Data

By Sharon Ben-Moshe · August 28, 2026

In Illinois, the 2022 population-weighted median price for infant care at a center was $278 per week. That equals $14,456 per year using 52 weeks. This official median is a planning baseline—not a provider quote—so compare the county where you need care before you set a family budget.

Key takeaways

The Illinois infant center-based median was $278 per week in 2022.
Available county figures range from $131 in Hamilton County to $374 in DuPage County, a $243 weekly spread.
The source is the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices, which reports data by county, age group, and care setting.
A $278 weekly baseline is about $1,205 per month when calculated as weekly price × 52 ÷ 12; a provider's billing schedule can differ.

What is the median daycare cost in Illinois?

The Illinois statewide median for infant care at a center was $278 per week in 2022. ChildcareCost calculates this figure as a population-weighted median of county medians, so counties count in proportion to their population rather than every county carrying equal weight.

A median is not the tuition at every program and it is not an estimate of a particular family's bill. It is a transparent reference point from the official dataset. The county page is the right next step when you want a closer local comparison.

Browse Illinois childcare costs by county to see the available local figures.

How much does that add up to over a year?

At $278 per week, infant center-based care works out to $14,456 per year using 52 weeks. For a monthly planning view, $278 × 52 ÷ 12 is about $1,205. The annual figure is a unit conversion of the official weekly median, not a separate price observation.

This conversion makes options quoted on different schedules easier to compare. It does not replace a provider's own invoice: ask whether tuition is charged for closures, holidays, absences, enrollment deposits, meals, or late pickup.

How much do daycare costs vary by county in Illinois?

The available 2022 county figures for infant center-based care run from $131 in Hamilton County to $374 in DuPage County. That $243 weekly difference is why a statewide number should start a search, not end one.

The Department of Labor flags statistically imputed county values in the underlying data; ChildcareCost displays that disclosure on the county and state pages. A missing county figure is not treated as zero or filled with a nearby county's price.

How should a family use this daycare-cost baseline?

1. Start with the Illinois county where care is needed. A county-level figure is more useful than a statewide median when providers are local.

2. Match the comparison to the child's age and care setting. The official dataset separates infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age care, along with center-based and family child care.

3. Convert every option to one time period. Weekly × 52 gives an annual planning number; weekly × 52 ÷ 12 gives a monthly comparison number.

4. Use the ChildcareCost calculator to compare a weekly price with household income. The result is a budget comparison, not a judgment about what any family should pay.

Where can families look for help with child care costs?

State eligibility and availability determine whether a family can receive child care financial assistance. Childcare.gov explains that states and territories administer assistance programs and points families to their local resources; it also notes possible Head Start, prekindergarten, employer, and provider-specific options.

Review Childcare.gov's financial-assistance options. Eligible taxpayers may also be able to reduce federal income tax through the Child and Dependent Care Credit when care enables work or a job search. Program and tax rules change, so check the official requirements or a qualified tax professional for your situation.

How to read the 2022 official data

The National Database of Childcare Prices is the federal source used here. The Department of Labor describes it as county-level price data by provider type and children's age, with data available from 2008 through 2022. This guide deliberately identifies the vintage instead of presenting historic figures as current tuition.

Read the ChildcareCost methodology for the source, the population-weighted-median method, conversion basis, and data limitations. Then request current details directly from the providers on your shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average daycare cost in Illinois?: For 2022, the population-weighted median price for infant care at a center in Illinois was $278 per week in the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. That is a statewide reference point, not a provider quote; compare the county where you need care before budgeting.
How much is Illinois daycare per month?: A planning conversion of $278 per week is about $1,205 per month, calculated as weekly price × 52 ÷ 12. Providers may bill weekly, monthly, or on another schedule, so use the conversion to compare options and confirm the provider's own billing terms.
Why do daycare costs vary across Illinois counties?: The published 2022 infant center-based county figures in Illinois range from $131 in Hamilton County to $374 in DuPage County. A state median summarizes the data, while a county-level figure is usually a better starting point for a local search.
Are these current Illinois daycare prices?: No. These are the latest official 2022 figures currently available in the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. They are useful for comparing locations and building a baseline, but a family should request current tuition, registration-fee, and schedule information directly from providers.
Can families get help paying for child care in Illinois?: Eligibility for child care financial assistance varies by state and program. Childcare.gov directs families to state and territory resources, and eligible taxpayers may be able to claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit when care enables work or a job search. Check program and tax requirements before relying on either option.