Daycare Cost: Virginia vs Maryland (2026)
Virginia infant center care runs $1400/month — $200/month less than Maryland's $1600/month. That's $2,400/year per child.
Virginia
$1400
infant/month
+$170 vs national avg
Maryland
$1600
infant/month
+$370 vs national avg
Virginia vs Maryland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Virginia | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,400/mo ✓ | $1,600/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,230/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $1,200/mo |
| School Age | $880/mo ✓ | $1,000/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,100/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,900/mo ✓ | $3,200/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey, 2025. Statewide averages — urban areas typically run 20–35% higher.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Virginia costs $16,800/year vs Maryland's $19,200/year.
Monthly savings
$200
Annual savings
$2,400
2-year infant care
$4,800
% difference
14%
Savings = Maryland cost minus Virginia cost. Infant center-based care only.
Childcare Subsidy Comparison
Virginia (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $7,000/mo
Max infant subsidy: $950/mo
Covers ~68% of average infant rate
Maryland (CCDF)
Income limit (family of 4): $8,000/mo
Max infant subsidy: $1,100/mo
Covers ~69% of average infant rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Virginia or Maryland?
Virginia is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1400/month, vs. $1600/month in Maryland — a $200/month gap. Virginia wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Maryland to Virginia?
Infant center-based care in Virginia runs $200/month less than in Maryland. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $4,800 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years. Keep in mind that state averages hide metro-area variation: cities in Virginia can cost as much as suburbs in Maryland.
How do both states compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Virginia is $170 above the national average, and Maryland is $370 above.
Do costs vary a lot within each state?
Yes — significantly. Major metro areas typically run 20–35% above the statewide average shown here. For example, San Francisco costs nearly double the California state average. Use the city comparison tool to compare specific metro areas.
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Virginia · Daycare in Maryland · All state comparisons · Compare cities