Daycare Cost: Baltimore vs Milwaukee (2026)
Milwaukee infant center care runs $1260/month — $500/month less than Baltimore's $1760/month. That's $6,000/year per child.
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Milwaukee, WI
$1260
infant/month
+$30 vs national avg
Baltimore vs Milwaukee — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Baltimore | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,760/mo | $1,260/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,540/mo | $1,110/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,320/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,100/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,380/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,520/mo | $2,730/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Milwaukee costs $15,120/year vs Baltimore's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$500
Annual savings
$6,000
2-year infant care
$12,000
% difference
40%
Savings = Baltimore cost minus Milwaukee 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
Milwaukee
19.3%
of $78k 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 →Milwaukee, WI — 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 Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1260/month, vs. $1760/month in Baltimore — a $500/month gap. Milwaukee wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Baltimore to Milwaukee?
Infant center-based care in Milwaukee runs $500/month less than in Baltimore. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,000 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 Milwaukee is $30 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Baltimore · Daycare in Milwaukee · All city comparisons