Maine childcare cost
Northeast region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 16 counties
In Maine, median center-based infant care costs about $9,620 per year ($185/week) — about 20% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 17.0% of Maine's median household income ($56,460), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $8,645/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Maine childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $185 | $9,620 | 17.0% | $150 | $7,800 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $178 | $9,230 | 16.3% | $135 | $7,020 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $166 | $8,645 | 15.3% | $135 | $7,020 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $100 | $5,200 | 9.2% | $100 | $5,200 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Maine's median household income of $56,460. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Maine families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Maine, a year of center-based infant care ($9,620) is equal to about 17.0% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Maine sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($8,645/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Maine compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Maine:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (this state) | $9,620 | 17.0% | $8,645 |
| Utah | $9,522 | 13.8% | $7,386 |
| Ohio | $9,412 | 16.9% | $7,540 |
| Delaware | $9,327 | 14.0% | $7,808 |
| Minnesota | $9,984 | 14.2% | $7,852 |
| Arizona | $9,230 | 16.2% | $7,410 |
By annual infant-care cost, Maine ranks #16 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Maine?
In Maine, the median price of center-based infant care is about $9,620 per year ($185 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 20% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Maine?
Median center-based infant care in Maine costs about 17.0% of the state's median household income ($56,460). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Maine is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Maine?
Family (home-based) childcare in Maine is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $7,800 per year versus $9,620 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Maine childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Maine appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 16 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20