Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Baltimore City, MD
In Baltimore City, MD, center-based childcare costs $250/wk for infants, $216/wk for toddlers, $216/wk for preschoolers, and $189/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 13% ($34/wk, $1,755/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($250/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($189/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Baltimore City track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $250/wk ($13,001/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $216/wk ($11,246/yr). That's a 13% drop — about $34/wk, or $1,755 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Baltimore City is Infant (0-1) at $250/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $189/wk — a spread of $61/wk between the most and least expensive bands. Cost declines steadily from infant to toddler to preschool, the typical national shape. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $189/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $250 | $13,001 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $216 | $11,246 | -$34 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $216 | $11,246 | -$34 |
| School-Age (6+) | $189 | $9,845 | -$61 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,349 |
| Burden Index | 22.3% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Baltimore City compare?
At $250/wk for infant center care, Baltimore City runs 44% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 22.3% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Baltimore City runs $180/wk for infants — about 28% less than center-based care, or $3,642 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $189/wk (center) or $140/wk (family).
More about Baltimore City
The data source behind this answer is the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Every figure on the page traces back to that source; the methodology page describes the inputs and the refresh cadence in full detail.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.