How much childcare costs in Maine
Center-based infant care in Maine costs about $14,852 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,238 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $12,150, 13.8% of the median family income and 2.0× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Maine's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $12,150 | $14,852 | $9,372 | $11,456 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $11,311 | $13,826 | $8,732 | $10,674 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $10,645 | $13,012 | $8,293 | $10,137 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $9,372 a year for an infant in Maine (2022 data): $2,778, or 23% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Maine
York County has the highest center-based infant price in Maine, $13,607 a year in 2022 data, and Franklin County and Oxford County the lowest, $9,100: a gap of $4,507 a year (50% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York County | $13,607 | $13,087 | $11,613 | $10,695 | $99,041 | 13.7% |
| Penobscot County | $13,295 | $10,591 | $9,793 | $9,533 | $82,139 | 16.2% |
| Cumberland County | $13,087 | $13,087 | $13,589 | $10,747 | $114,469 | 11.4% |
| Kennebec County | $11,960 | $10,487 | $11,050 | $8,580 | $81,228 | 14.7% |
| 2 countiesHancock County, Washington County | $11,908 | $11,908 | $10,088 | $8,060 | $68,207 to $83,194 | 14.3 to 17.5% |
| 2 countiesKnox County, Waldo County | $11,700 | $11,353 | $10,053 | $8,147 | $75,601 to $87,745 | 13.3 to 15.5% |
| Androscoggin County | $11,664 | $11,093 | $8,927 | $8,493 | $82,684 | 14.1% |
| 2 countiesLincoln County, Sagadahoc County | $11,007 | $10,400 | $9,793 | $9,447 | $89,383 to $91,645 | 12.0 to 12.3% |
| Aroostook County | $10,053 | $8,190 | $7,367 | $6,933 | $68,826 | 14.6% |
| 2 countiesPiscataquis County, Somerset County | $10,053 | $8,190 | $7,367 | $8,060 | $62,700 to $70,093 | 14.3 to 16.0% |
| Franklin County | $9,100 | $8,493 | $8,060 | $8,840 | $75,776 | 12.0% |
| Oxford County | $9,100 | $8,493 | $8,060 | $8,493 | $69,412 | 13.1% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 16 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
See how Maine compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Maine per month?
Center-based infant care in Maine costs about $1,238 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,013 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,152 and preschool about $1,084 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $955. These are population-weighted averages across Maine's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Maine?
York County has the highest center-based infant price in Maine, $13,607 a year in 2022 data, and Franklin County and Oxford County the lowest, $9,100: a gap of $4,507 a year (50% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Maine?
Center-based infant care takes about 13.8% of the median family income in Maine ($12,150 against $88,063, 2022 data), 2.0× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 25 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 11.4% in Cumberland County to 17.5% in Washington County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Maine). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)