Daycare Cost: Baltimore vs Anaheim (2026)
Baltimore infant center care runs $1760/month — $490/month less than Anaheim's $2250/month. That's $5,880/year per child.
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Anaheim, CA
$2250
infant/month
+$1020 vs national avg
Baltimore vs Anaheim — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Baltimore | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,760/mo ✓ | $2,250/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,540/mo ✓ | $2,000/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,630/mo |
| School Age | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,380/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,380/mo ✓ | $1,750/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,520/mo ✓ | $4,380/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Baltimore costs $21,120/year vs Anaheim's $27,000/year.
Monthly savings
$490
Annual savings
$5,880
2-year infant care
$11,760
% difference
28%
Savings = Anaheim cost minus Baltimore cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Baltimore
19.5%
of $108k median income
Anaheim
26.4%
of $102k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Baltimore, MD — CCDF
Check eligibility →Anaheim, CA — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Baltimore or Anaheim?
Baltimore is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1760/month, vs. $2250/month in Anaheim — a $490/month gap. Baltimore wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Anaheim to Baltimore?
Infant center-based care in Baltimore runs $490/month less than in Anaheim. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $11,760 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Baltimore is $530 above the national average, and Anaheim is $1020 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Baltimore · Daycare in Anaheim · All city comparisons