Daycare Cost: Baltimore vs Sacramento (2026)
Baltimore infant center care runs $1760/month — $310/month less than Sacramento's $2070/month. That's $3,720/year per child.
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Sacramento, CA
$2070
infant/month
+$840 vs national avg
Baltimore vs Sacramento — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Baltimore | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,760/mo ✓ | $2,070/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,540/mo ✓ | $1,840/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| School Age | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,270/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,380/mo ✓ | $1,610/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,520/mo ✓ | $4,020/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 Sacramento's $24,840/year.
Monthly savings
$310
Annual savings
$3,720
2-year infant care
$7,440
% difference
18%
Savings = Sacramento 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
Sacramento
24.3%
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 →Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?
Baltimore is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1760/month, vs. $2070/month in Sacramento — a $310/month gap. Baltimore wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Sacramento to Baltimore?
Infant center-based care in Baltimore runs $310/month less than in Sacramento. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,440 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 Sacramento is $840 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Baltimore · Daycare in Sacramento · All city comparisons