Daycare Cost: Philadelphia vs Baltimore (2026)
Philadelphia infant center care runs $1320/month — $440/month less than Baltimore's $1760/month. That's $5,280/year per child.
Philadelphia, PA
$1320
infant/month
+$90 vs national avg
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Philadelphia vs Baltimore — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Philadelphia | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,320/mo ✓ | $1,760/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,170/mo ✓ | $1,540/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $990/mo ✓ | $1,320/mo |
| School Age | $830/mo ✓ | $1,100/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,020/mo ✓ | $1,380/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,860/mo ✓ | $3,520/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Philadelphia costs $15,840/year vs Baltimore's $21,120/year.
Monthly savings
$440
Annual savings
$5,280
2-year infant care
$10,560
% difference
33%
Savings = Baltimore cost minus Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia
19.4%
of $82k median income
Baltimore
19.5%
of $108k 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.
Philadelphia, PA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Baltimore, MD — 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 Philadelphia or Baltimore?
Philadelphia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1320/month, vs. $1760/month in Baltimore — a $440/month gap. Philadelphia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Baltimore to Philadelphia?
Infant center-based care in Philadelphia runs $440/month less than in Baltimore. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,560 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. Philadelphia is $90 above the national average, and Baltimore is $530 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Philadelphia · Daycare in Baltimore · All city comparisons