Daycare Cost: Washington vs Baltimore (2026)
Baltimore infant center care runs $1760/month — $640/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $7,680/year per child.
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Baltimore, MD
$1760
infant/month
+$530 vs national avg
Washington vs Baltimore — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Washington | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,400/mo | $1,760/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,100/mo | $1,540/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,800/mo | $1,320/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,500/mo | $1,100/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,900/mo | $1,380/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/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, Baltimore costs $21,120/year vs Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$640
Annual savings
$7,680
2-year infant care
$15,360
% difference
36%
Savings = Washington cost minus Baltimore cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Washington or Baltimore?
Baltimore is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1760/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $640/month gap. Baltimore wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Baltimore?
Infant center-based care in Baltimore runs $640/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $15,360 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. Washington is $1170 above the national average, and Baltimore is $530 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Washington · Daycare in Baltimore · All city comparisons