Maryland childcare cost
South region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 24 counties
In Maryland, median center-based infant care costs about $11,550 per year ($222/week) — about 45% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 13.7% of Maryland's median household income ($84,342), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (high burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $7,988/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.
Maryland 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) | $222 | $11,550 | 13.7% | $150 | $7,792 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $154 | $7,988 | 9.5% | $132 | $6,840 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $154 | $7,988 | 9.5% | $132 | $6,840 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $135 | $7,013 | 8.3% | $127 | $6,580 |
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 Maryland's median household income of $84,342. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Maryland families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Maryland, a year of center-based infant care ($11,550) is equal to about 13.7% 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 Maryland sits well above the 7% benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($7,988/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Maryland compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Maryland:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (this state) | $11,550 | 13.7% | $7,988 |
| New York | $11,429 | 16.5% | $10,130 |
| Vermont | $11,929 | 19.6% | $10,910 |
| New Hampshire | $11,119 | 14.7% | $9,180 |
| Wisconsin | $10,400 | 17.3% | $9,100 |
| Washington | $12,900 | 17.9% | $9,744 |
By annual infant-care cost, Maryland ranks #11 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Maryland
County-level median prices we publish for Maryland:
- Montgomery County — infant center care $19,740/yr (2018)
- Prince George's County — infant center care $13,420/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Maryland?
In Maryland, the median price of center-based infant care is about $11,550 per year ($222 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 45% 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 Maryland?
Median center-based infant care in Maryland costs about 13.7% of the state's median household income ($84,342). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Maryland is well above the 7% benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Maryland?
Family (home-based) childcare in Maryland is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $7,792 per year versus $11,550 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 Maryland childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Maryland 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.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 24 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