Market intelligence · Baltimore, MD

Baltimore childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Baltimore market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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165,329
Children under 5 in the Baltimore metro (2023)
+1.7%
Population change, 2018–2023
$97,300
Median household income — above the U.S. national median
−1.7%
Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MD Metro Area.
What this means for owners

High incomes, tight caps — Maryland's quiet premium.

The Baltimore metro's median household income reached $97,300 while its population and under-5 count both held nearly flat from 2018 to 2023.

Maryland comps trade at a 6.9% median cap and $423 per square foot — the highest per-square-foot pricing we track outside California. Our surveyed Howard County school charges $2,719 a month for infants; we're still surveying Baltimore-area schools.

2025 tuition rates · Baltimore market

Real rates from Baltimore-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

BrandLocationInfant / moPre-K / moLicensed capacity
ChildtimeEllicott City (Montgomery Rd)$2,719$2,117
Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.
Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Maryland.

Across our sold-comps database, Maryland childcare properties have typically traded at 6.8–7.3% cap rates, at a median of $423 per square foot, across 7 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 7 Maryland childcare sales (6 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.
6.8–7.3%
Typical cap-rate range, MD sales
6.9%
Median sold cap rate, MD
$423
Median price per SF, MD
7
MD childcare sales in our dataset
Brand (national)Median sold capMedian $/SF
KinderCare6.67%$381
La Petite Academy6.89%$207
Kiddie Academy6.46%$378
Tutor Time8.47%$372
Childtime6.20%$262

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30+
Years in the industry
70+
Centers sold
18+
States nationwide
2,800+
Investors in our network
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FAQ

Questions from Baltimore owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Baltimore?
In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Baltimore market, actual rates ran roughly $2,719–$2,719/mo for infants and $2,117–$2,117/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $2,719 and $2,117. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.
What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Maryland?
In our sold-comps dataset of 7 Maryland childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 6.9%, typically ranging 6.8–7.3%, at a median of $423 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.
How much is my Baltimore daycare business worth?
Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.
Who buys childcare centers in the Baltimore metro?
Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.
Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?
Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.