Childcare costs in Harford County, MD
$16,897 a year for center-based infant care - 15.9% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Harford County, MD is $16,897/year, while family childcare is $11,520/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 15.9% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $12,642/year, and preschool-age care is $12,642/year.
Harford County vs. the nation
Harford County, MD runs $16,897 a year for center-based infant care, 76% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 5% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 15.9% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $16,897/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +76%
- National rank
- #2,531 cheapest of 2,662
- Share of income
- 15.9%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $16,897
- Center Infant/yr
- $11,520
- Family Infant/yr
- $106,417
- Median Income
- 15.9%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $16,897 | $11,520 |
| Toddler | $12,642 | $10,174 |
| Preschool | $12,642 | $10,174 |
| School Age | $11,501 | $9,190 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Harford County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$16,897 more affordable than 5% 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
What These Numbers Mean for Harford County Families
Weighed against a $106,417 median household income, Harford County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 15.9% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 8.9 points.Between 15-20% of income, Harford County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.
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)
The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 10 years, from 2013 through 2022.
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 | $14,811 |
| 2019 | $15,333 |
| 2020 | $15,854 |
| 2021 | $16,376 |
| 2022 | $16,897 |
What this means for Harford County families
Infant center care here takes 15.9% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 15.9% 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 $11,520/year for infants, about $5,377 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Harford County 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.