Daycare Cost: Washington, DC vs Baltimore, MD (2026)
Baltimore, MD infant center care runs $1520/month — $630/month less than Washington, DC's $2150/month. That's $7,560/year per child.
Washington, DC, DC
$2150
infant/month
+$920 vs national avg
Baltimore, MD, MD
$1520
infant/month
+$290 vs national avg
Washington, DC vs Baltimore, MD — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Washington, DC | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,520/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,890/mo | $1,335/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,615/mo | $1,140/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,350/mo | $955/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,700/mo | $1,200/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,600/mo | $3,300/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Baltimore, MD costs $18,240/year vs Washington, DC's $25,800/year.
Monthly savings
$630
Annual savings
$7,560
2-year infant care
$15,120
% difference
41%
Savings = Washington, DC cost minus Baltimore, MD 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.
Washington, DC
25.4%
of $102k median income
Baltimore, MD
18.5%
of $98k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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.
Washington, DC, DC — CCDF
Check eligibility →Baltimore, MD, 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 Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD?
Baltimore, MD is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1520/month, vs. $2150/month in Washington, DC — a $630/month gap. Baltimore, MD wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD?
Infant center-based care in Baltimore, MD runs $630/month less than in Washington, DC. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $15,120 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, DC is $920 above the national average, and Baltimore, MD is $290 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Washington, DC · Daycare in Baltimore, MD · All city comparisons