How much childcare costs in Maryland
Center-based infant care in Maryland costs about $20,972 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,748 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $17,157, 14.6% of the median family income and 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Maryland'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) | $17,157 | $20,972 | $12,080 | $14,766 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $12,938 | $15,815 | $10,735 | $13,122 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $12,938 | $15,815 | $10,735 | $13,122 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $12,080 a year for an infant in Maryland (2022 data): $5,077, or 30% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Maryland
Howard County and Montgomery County have the highest center-based infant price in Maryland, $21,533 a year in 2022 data, and Dorchester County, Somerset County and Wicomico County the lowest, $10,848: a gap of $10,685 a year (98% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 countiesHoward County, Montgomery County | $21,533 | $17,457 | $17,457 | $14,957 | $152,137 to $169,085 | 12.7 to 14.2% |
| Baltimore County | $17,955 | $13,290 | $13,290 | $11,924 | $109,514 | 16.4% |
| 2 countiesAnne Arundel County, Prince George's County | $17,024 | $12,001 | $12,001 | $12,525 | $115,235 to $136,266 | 12.5 to 14.8% |
| 2 countiesFrederick County, Harford County | $16,897 | $12,642 | $12,642 | $11,520 | $125,929 to $135,543 | 12.5 to 13.4% |
| 3 countiesCalvert County, Carroll County, Charles County | $16,816 | $11,853 | $11,853 | $12,439 | $130,440 to $145,175 | 11.6 to 12.9% |
| 5 countiesCecil County, Queen Anne's County, St. Mary's County, Talbot County, Washington County | $13,231 | $9,116 | $9,116 | $9,190 | $90,782 to $132,926 | 10.0 to 14.6% |
| Baltimore City | $13,001 | $11,246 | $11,246 | $9,359 | $72,972 | 17.8% |
| Garrett County | $12,838 | $8,676 | $8,676 | $7,823 | $81,575 | 15.7% |
| 2 countiesAllegany County, Worcester County | $12,369 | $8,349 | $8,349 | $7,769 | $71,459 to $97,408 | 12.7 to 17.3% |
| 2 countiesCaroline County, Kent County | $11,280 | $8,169 | $8,169 | $8,178 | $75,994 to $103,341 | 10.9 to 14.8% |
| 3 countiesDorchester County, Somerset County, Wicomico County | $10,848 | $7,856 | $7,856 | $8,122 | $66,215 to $84,504 | 12.8 to 16.4% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 24 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
- Delaware$1,263/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Pennsylvania$1,240/mo infant, 2026 est.
- Virginia$1,382/mo infant, 2026 est.
- West Virginia$891/mo infant, 2026 est.
- District of Columbia$2,595/mo infant, 2026 est.
See how Maryland compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Maryland per month?
Center-based infant care in Maryland costs about $1,748 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,430 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,318 and preschool about $1,318 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,231. These are population-weighted averages across Maryland's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Maryland?
Howard County and Montgomery County have the highest center-based infant price in Maryland, $21,533 a year in 2022 data, and Dorchester County, Somerset County and Wicomico County the lowest, $10,848: a gap of $10,685 a year (98% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years; estimated from a different reported price percentile.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Maryland?
Center-based infant care takes about 14.6% of the median family income in Maryland ($17,157 against $117,294, 2022 data), 2.1× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 18 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 10.0% in St. Mary's County to 17.8% in Baltimore City.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Maryland). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)