Childcare costs in Baltimore City, MD
$13,001 a year for center-based infant care - 22.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Baltimore City, MD families pay $13,001/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $9,359/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 22.3% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,246/year, and preschool-age care is $11,246/year.
Baltimore City vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Baltimore City, MD ranks #2,330 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Baltimore City, MD runs $13,001 a year for center-based infant care, 36% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 12% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 22.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $13,001/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +36%
- Corpus placement
- #2,330 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 22.3%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $13,001
- Center Infant/yr
- $9,359
- Family Infant/yr
- $58,349
- Median Income
- 22.3%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $13,001 | $9,359 |
| Toddler | $11,246 | $8,097 |
| Preschool | $11,246 | $8,097 |
| School Age | $9,845 | $7,293 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Baltimore City ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$13,001 more affordable than 12% of 2,662 US counties
Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022
Full NDCP Care Ladder in Baltimore City
This county reports every age×setting cell in the DOL NDCP survey. That lets us compare the center premium over family care at each age, and how steeply costs fall from infant to school-age.
| Age | Center | Family | Center premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $13,001 | $9,359 | +$3,642 (+38.9%) |
| Toddler | $11,246 | $8,097 | +$3,149 (+38.9%) |
| Preschool | $11,246 | $8,097 | +$3,149 (+38.9%) |
| School Age | $9,845 | $7,293 | +$2,552 (+35%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $45,338/year versus $32,846/year for family care ($12,492 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.32× school-age center care here. Among the 24Maryland counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Baltimore City ranks #9 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Baltimore City Families
Baltimore City's median household income of $58,349 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 22.3% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 15.3 points.At over 20% of income, Baltimore City qualifies as an affordability desert, counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share.
For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
Center-based infant care costs over 2013–2022 (10 years of NDCP data).
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | N/A |
| 2010 | N/A |
| 2011 | N/A |
| 2012 | N/A |
| 2013 | $14,650 |
| 2014 | $14,560 |
| 2015 | $14,470 |
| 2016 | $14,380 |
| 2017 | $14,289 |
| 2018 | $14,032 |
| 2019 | $13,774 |
| 2020 | $13,516 |
| 2021 | $13,258 |
| 2022 | $13,001 |
What this means for Baltimore City families
Infant center care here takes 22.3% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 22.3% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
- Family childcare homes run $9,359/year for infants, about $3,642 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Baltimore City compares against the cheapest counties in Maryland. Cheapest in Maryland
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.