Most Expensive Childcare in Illinois
Ceiling price 59% above the Illinois infant average
Ranked by reported cost only, not a quality, safety, or licensing rating. A higher price does not imply better care; verify licensing and inspection history directly with providers or Illinois's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency before choosing care.
Counties with Most Expensive Childcare
| # | County | Infant Care |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DuPage County | $19,465/yr |
| 2 | Kane County | $17,070/yr |
| 3 | McHenry County | $16,408/yr |
| 4 | McLean County | $16,311/yr |
| 5 | Knox County | $16,161/yr |
| 6 | Champaign County | $16,092/yr |
| 7 | Lake County | $15,881/yr |
| 8 | Will County | $15,825/yr |
| 9 | DeKalb County | $15,222/yr |
| 10 | Madison County | $14,993/yr |
| 11 | Boone County | $14,993/yr |
| 12 | Kendall County | $14,868/yr |
| 13 | Winnebago County | $14,647/yr |
| 14 | Rock Island County | $14,647/yr |
| 15 | Tazewell County | $14,577/yr |
| 16 | Peoria County | $14,487/yr |
| 17 | Cook County | $14,473/yr |
| 18 | Woodford County | $13,891/yr |
| 19 | Williamson County | $13,734/yr |
| 20 | White County | $13,734/yr |
| 21 | Wayne County | $13,734/yr |
| 22 | LaSalle County | $13,734/yr |
| 23 | Jackson County | $13,734/yr |
| 24 | Grundy County | $13,734/yr |
| 25 | Ogle County | $13,260/yr |
| 26 | Lee County | $12,694/yr |
| 27 | Jefferson County | $12,694/yr |
| 28 | St. Clair County | $12,376/yr |
| 29 | Whiteside County | $12,289/yr |
| 30 | Macon County | $12,008/yr |
| 31 | Randolph County | $12,001/yr |
| 32 | Henry County | $11,796/yr |
| 33 | Morgan County | $11,727/yr |
| 34 | Saline County | $11,654/yr |
| 35 | Adams County | $11,134/yr |
| 36 | Bureau County | $10,773/yr |
| 37 | Kankakee County | $10,487/yr |
| 38 | Monroe County | $10,435/yr |
| 39 | Macoupin County | $10,267/yr |
| 40 | Sangamon County | $10,185/yr |
| 41 | Moultrie County | $9,921/yr |
| 42 | Montgomery County | $9,921/yr |
| 43 | Franklin County | $9,921/yr |
| 44 | Bond County | $9,921/yr |
| 45 | Menard County | $9,865/yr |
| 46 | Fulton County | $9,591/yr |
| 47 | Mercer County | $9,574/yr |
| 48 | Clinton County | $9,560/yr |
| 49 | Vermilion County | $9,227/yr |
| 50 | Perry County | $9,227/yr |
Steep ceiling gap inside Illinois
Signature read: the top price sits 59% above the Illinois infant average — a steep in-state ceiling gap on this NDCP list. DuPage County posts $19,465/year — 59% over the $12,257 state average — with toddler $14,560 and preschool $16,423.
All 50 priced Illinois counties on this board are sorted by center infant price, highest first (NDCP). Ranked by reported cost only — not quality, safety, or licensing.
Methodology
Steep-gap board: counties sorted by NDCP center infant cost (2022); ceiling vs $12,257/year Illinois average.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) · 2022
DOL Women's Bureau NDCP · Illinois costliest-county board, 2022
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.