Washington State Daycare Cost 2026 by City

Washington State, driven by Seattle's booming tech economy, has some of the highest childcare costs on the West Coast: it ranks 6th of the 50 states and DC for center infant care prices in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 data, just ahead of Colorado and behind California. The concentration of high-paying jobs at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google has pushed wages up across all sectors, including childcare. However, Washington's lack of state income tax and strong assistance programs provide some relief. This guide breaks down what families actually pay across the Evergreen State.

Average Daycare Cost in Washington (Latest Statewide Data)

Age group	Center, per year	Center, per month	Center, per week	Family child care home, per month
Infant	$21,348	$1,779	$411	$1,500
Toddler	$19,236	$1,603	$370	$1,350
4-year-old	$16,908	$1,409	$325	$1,213

Source: Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Tables I and II. Statewide averages for full-time care at 2024 prices, the latest published. Monthly figures are the annual price divided by 12, weekly figures divided by 52.

For context, Child Care Aware of America put the national average price of care, across all ages and care types, at $13,128 a year in its 2024 Price and Supply analysis.

Washington Daycare Cost by Region

Monthly Estimates at a Glance

Care Type	Seattle	Eastside	Other Cities	Rural
Infant Daycare	$2,000-$2,800	$2,200-$3,000	$1,400-$1,900	$1,000-$1,400
Toddler Daycare	$1,700-$2,400	$1,900-$2,600	$1,200-$1,650	$850-$1,200
Preschool	$1,400-$2,000	$1,600-$2,200	$1,000-$1,400	$750-$1,050
Nanny	$3,800-$5,500	$4,200-$6,000	$3,000-$4,200	$2,600-$3,400
Home Daycare	$1,400-$1,900	$1,500-$2,100	$1,000-$1,400	$700-$1,000

Regional ranges are estimates of typical full-time rates. Individual centers vary, so confirm current tuition with each provider.

Washington requires one teacher for every four infants (1:4), which is a big part of the price. See child care ratios by state to compare.

Washington ranks among the top 10 most expensive states for childcare, with the Seattle metro area driving costs significantly above the national average.

Why Washington Childcare Is Expensive

Several factors drive Washington's high childcare costs:

1. Tech economy: High salaries at Amazon, Microsoft, and Google drive up wages across all sectors
2. Cost of living: Seattle real estate is among the most expensive in the nation
3. Strong licensing: Washington has strict staff-to-child ratios
4. No state income tax: While a benefit for families, it means lower state investment in childcare subsidies
5. High demand: Dual-income tech families create intense competition for quality care

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Seattle Metro Costs

City of Seattle

Seattle's childcare market is one of the most expensive in the nation, with significant variation by neighborhood.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$2,100-$2,900	$25,200-$34,800
Toddler Daycare	$1,800-$2,500	$21,600-$30,000
Preschool	$1,500-$2,100	$18,000-$25,200
Nanny	$4,000-$5,800	$48,000-$69,600
Home Daycare	$1,500-$2,000	$18,000-$24,000

By neighborhood:

Neighborhood	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Capitol Hill	$2,400-$3,200	$2,100-$2,800	High demand, limited spots
Queen Anne	$2,400-$3,100	$2,000-$2,700	Family-oriented, premium
Wallingford	$2,300-$3,000	$2,000-$2,600	Popular with families
Ballard	$2,200-$2,900	$1,900-$2,500	Growing family population
Fremont	$2,200-$2,900	$1,900-$2,500	Quirky neighborhood, quality centers
Green Lake	$2,100-$2,800	$1,800-$2,400	Family favorite
Magnolia	$2,100-$2,800	$1,800-$2,400	More residential
West Seattle	$1,900-$2,500	$1,650-$2,200	Slightly more affordable
Beacon Hill	$1,850-$2,450	$1,600-$2,150	Diverse, growing options
Columbia City	$1,900-$2,500	$1,650-$2,200	Up-and-coming
Rainier Valley	$1,700-$2,300	$1,450-$2,000	Most affordable Seattle

Capitol Hill/Queen Anne specifics:

• Premium centers can exceed $3,500/month for infants
• Waitlists of 12-18 months for top programs
• Many co-op and alternative education options
• Nanny shares popular to offset costs

Ballard/Fremont specifics:

• Growing family population driving new center openings
• Mix of chain and independent centers
• Several Montessori and Waldorf options
• Slightly better availability than Capitol Hill

Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland)

The Eastside commands premium prices due to Microsoft, Meta, and Google presence, plus high household incomes.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$2,300-$3,100	$27,600-$37,200
Toddler Daycare	$2,000-$2,700	$24,000-$32,400
Preschool	$1,700-$2,300	$20,400-$27,600
Nanny	$4,500-$6,500	$54,000-$78,000
Home Daycare	$1,600-$2,200	$19,200-$26,400

By city:

City	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Bellevue (Downtown)	$2,500-$3,300	$2,200-$2,900	Highest Eastside costs
Bellevue (East)	$2,200-$2,900	$1,900-$2,600	Slightly lower
Redmond	$2,300-$3,100	$2,000-$2,700	Microsoft HQ area
Kirkland	$2,200-$3,000	$1,900-$2,600	Google campus nearby
Sammamish	$2,200-$2,900	$1,900-$2,500	Suburban, family-oriented
Issaquah	$2,100-$2,800	$1,800-$2,500	Good schools
Mercer Island	$2,400-$3,200	$2,100-$2,800	Affluent, limited options
Woodinville	$2,000-$2,700	$1,750-$2,400	Wine country, suburban

Eastside specifics:

• Microsoft, Google, and Meta employees often have generous childcare subsidies
• Many high-quality Montessori and language immersion programs
• On-site childcare at some tech campuses
• Extremely competitive waitlists: join while pregnant

North Sound

More affordable than Seattle proper while still offering urban amenities.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,700-$2,300	$20,400-$27,600
Toddler Daycare	$1,450-$2,000	$17,400-$24,000
Preschool	$1,200-$1,700	$14,400-$20,400
Nanny	$3,200-$4,400	$38,400-$52,800
Home Daycare	$1,200-$1,650	$14,400-$19,800

By city:

City	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Edmonds	$1,800-$2,400	$1,550-$2,100	Charming downtown
Lynnwood	$1,650-$2,250	$1,400-$1,950	Good value
Everett	$1,550-$2,100	$1,350-$1,850	Boeing presence
Marysville	$1,500-$2,050	$1,300-$1,800	Most affordable
Shoreline	$1,750-$2,350	$1,500-$2,050	Seattle adjacent
Lake Forest Park	$1,800-$2,400	$1,550-$2,100	Suburban feel

South Sound

More affordable options with good commute access to Seattle and major employers.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,500-$2,100	$18,000-$25,200
Toddler Daycare	$1,300-$1,800	$15,600-$21,600
Preschool	$1,100-$1,550	$13,200-$18,600
Nanny	$2,900-$4,000	$34,800-$48,000
Home Daycare	$1,100-$1,500	$13,200-$18,000

By city:

City	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Tacoma	$1,500-$2,100	$1,300-$1,800	Growing arts scene
Federal Way	$1,400-$1,950	$1,200-$1,700	Commuter friendly
Kent	$1,400-$1,950	$1,200-$1,700	Amazon warehouses
Auburn	$1,350-$1,900	$1,150-$1,650	Affordable
Renton	$1,500-$2,050	$1,300-$1,800	Boeing, near Seattle
Burien	$1,450-$2,000	$1,250-$1,750	Airport area
Tukwila	$1,400-$1,950	$1,200-$1,700	Diverse community

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Other Washington Cities

Spokane

Eastern Washington's largest city offers significantly lower costs than Seattle, often 40-50% less.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,100-$1,500	$13,200-$18,000
Toddler Daycare	$950-$1,300	$11,400-$15,600
Preschool	$850-$1,150	$10,200-$13,800
Nanny	$2,600-$3,400	$31,200-$40,800
Home Daycare	$800-$1,100	$9,600-$13,200

By area:

Area	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
South Hill	$1,200-$1,600	$1,050-$1,400	Premium area
North Spokane	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	More affordable
Spokane Valley	$1,050-$1,450	$900-$1,250	Suburban
Downtown	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	Limited options

Spokane advantages:

• 40-50% cheaper than Seattle
• Good availability and shorter waitlists
• Quality ECEAP programs
• Lower cost of living overall

Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco)

Growing Eastern Washington metro with affordable childcare.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Toddler Daycare	$900-$1,250	$10,800-$15,000
Preschool	$800-$1,100	$9,600-$13,200
Nanny	$2,400-$3,200	$28,800-$38,400
Home Daycare	$750-$1,050	$9,000-$12,600

Tri-Cities notes:

• Hanford/Pacific Northwest National Lab influence
• Growing population bringing more options
• Strong Head Start presence

Vancouver (Clark County)

Portland suburb offering Washington's no-income-tax advantage.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,300-$1,800	$15,600-$21,600
Toddler Daycare	$1,100-$1,550	$13,200-$18,600
Preschool	$950-$1,350	$11,400-$16,200
Nanny	$2,800-$3,800	$33,600-$45,600
Home Daycare	$950-$1,350	$11,400-$16,200

Vancouver advantages:

• No Washington state income tax
• Access to Portland amenities
• Lower costs than Seattle
• Growing family population

Olympia

State capital with moderate costs and good availability.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,400-$1,900	$16,800-$22,800
Toddler Daycare	$1,200-$1,650	$14,400-$19,800
Preschool	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Nanny	$2,800-$3,800	$33,600-$45,600
Home Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800

Olympia specifics:

• State employee concentration
• Evergreen State College provides educated workforce
• Good ECEAP availability
• Strong environmental education programs

Bellingham

University town near the Canadian border with moderate costs.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,350-$1,850	$16,200-$22,200
Toddler Daycare	$1,150-$1,600	$13,800-$19,200
Preschool	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Nanny	$2,700-$3,600	$32,400-$43,200
Home Daycare	$950-$1,350	$11,400-$16,200

Bellingham specifics:

• Western Washington University creates educated workforce
• Limited availability (childcare shortage)
• Strong outdoor education options
• Some families use Canadian care options

Other Cities

City	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Yakima	$950-$1,350	$825-$1,150	Agricultural area
Wenatchee	$1,000-$1,400	$875-$1,225	Apple country
Walla Walla	$950-$1,350	$825-$1,175	Wine region
Pullman	$1,000-$1,400	$875-$1,225	WSU town
Ellensburg	$900-$1,300	$800-$1,150	CWU town

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Washington Child Care Assistance

Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)

Washington's primary childcare subsidy program.

Who qualifies:

• Families at or below 60% State Median Income (for initial eligibility)
• Can remain eligible up to 85% SMI
• Working, in school, or in job training

Income limits (2024):

Family Size	Initial Eligibility (60% SMI)	Remain On (85% SMI)
2	$44,000/year	$62,000/year
3	$52,000/year	$74,000/year
4	$63,000/year	$89,000/year
5	$74,000/year	$105,000/year

What's covered:

• Licensed child care centers
• Licensed family child care
• Some license-exempt care

Copay structure:

• Based on income and family size
• Ranges from $0 to ~$250/month

How to apply:

1. Visit dcyf.wa.gov
2. Contact your local DSHS Community Services Office
3. Apply online or in person
4. Processing takes approximately 30 days

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)

Washington's state-funded preschool for income-qualifying families.

Who qualifies:

• 3 and 4-year-olds
• Families at or below 110% federal poverty level
• Some exceptions for children with special needs or risk factors

Program details:

• Free, comprehensive early education
• Health screenings and services
• Family support services
• Nutritious meals included
• School-day or extended-day options

Cost: Completely free for qualifying families.

How to apply:

• Contact your local school district
• Visit dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/eceap
• Apply through local ECEAP contractor

Transitional Kindergarten

Some Washington districts offer transitional kindergarten (TK) for children who turn 5 after the cutoff date.

Check with your district: Not universally available, but expanding.

Seattle Preschool Program (SPP)

Seattle's city-funded preschool program for Seattle residents.

Who qualifies:

• Seattle 3 and 4-year-olds
• All income levels (sliding scale fees)
• Free for lowest-income families

Program details:

• High-quality preschool curriculum
• Full-day options available
• Income-based sliding scale
• Multiple locations citywide

Cost: Free to ~$1,500/month depending on income.

How to apply: seattle.gov/education/spp

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Tech Company Childcare Benefits

Many Seattle-area tech employers offer significant childcare benefits that can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Major Employer Benefits

Company	Typical Childcare Benefits
Microsoft	Up to $25,000/year subsidy, on-site care at some campuses
Amazon	$5,000-15,000/year subsidy (varies by level), backup care
Google	$10,000-25,000/year subsidy, on-site care
Meta	$10,000-20,000/year subsidy
Salesforce	Childcare subsidies, backup care
Expedia	Childcare assistance, flexible work
Zillow	Dependent care support
Boeing	On-site care at some facilities, subsidies
T-Mobile	Childcare assistance programs

On-Site Childcare Locations

Several tech campuses have on-site childcare (often at reduced rates for employees):

• Microsoft (Redmond): Multiple childcare centers on campus
• Amazon (Seattle): Day One Center in South Lake Union
• Boeing (Various): Some manufacturing facilities have care centers
• Costco (Issaquah HQ): On-site childcare

Pro tip: Even if your company doesn't advertise childcare benefits: check your benefits portal, because many employees miss this benefit.

Backup Care Programs

Many tech companies offer emergency/backup care:

• Typically 10-20 days/year of subsidized backup care
• Can be used when regular care is unavailable
• Often covers sick-child care

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Ways to Save on Childcare in Washington

1. Maximize Employer Benefits

Many Washington employers, especially in tech, offer childcare subsidies of $5,000-25,000/year. This is often the single biggest savings opportunity.

Action items:

• Check your benefits portal
• Ask HR specifically about childcare benefits
• Look for backup care benefits

2. No State Income Tax: FSA Still Valuable

Washington has no state income tax, but the Dependent Care FSA still provides significant federal tax savings.

Savings on $5,000 contributed (the limit rises to $7,500 per household for 2026 under IRS Publication 15-B, so savings run about 50 percent higher if you contribute the maximum):

Income Level	Federal Savings
$75,000	$1,100
$100,000	$1,200
$150,000+	$1,600

3. ECEAP for Preschool

If income-eligible, ECEAP provides free, high-quality preschool for 3-4 year olds.

Potential savings: $12,000-18,000/year

4. Seattle Preschool Program

Seattle residents can access subsidized or free preschool through SPP, regardless of income.

Potential savings: $6,000-18,000/year depending on income

5. Licensed Family Home Care

Family child care costs 25-35% less than centers.

Care Type	Center Cost	Home Daycare	Savings
Infant (Seattle)	$2,500/month	$1,750/month	$750/month
Toddler (Seattle)	$2,100/month	$1,500/month	$600/month

Annual savings: $7,200-9,000/year

6. Nanny Share Arrangements

Split costs with another family.

Arrangement	Per Family Cost (Seattle)
Private nanny	$4,800/month
Nanny share	$3,000/month
Savings	$1,800/month

Popular in Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Wallingford, and Eastside neighborhoods.

7. Cross-Border Living (Vancouver, WA)

For Portland-area workers: Live in Washington (no income tax) while potentially accessing Oregon childcare options.

8. Eastern Washington Living

Location	Infant Cost	vs. Seattle
Seattle	$2,500	baseline
Tacoma	$1,800	-$700/month
Spokane	$1,300	-$1,200/month
Tri-Cities	$1,200	-$1,300/month

Annual savings: $8,400-15,600 by living in Eastern Washington.

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Finding Childcare in Washington

DCYF Child Care Search

Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families maintains a searchable database.

Visit: dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/find-child-care

Search for:

• Licensed child care centers
• Licensed family child care
• ECEAP locations
• Program capacity

Quality Ratings: Early Achievers

Washington's quality rating system for childcare providers.

Levels:

• Level 1: Meets licensing standards
• Level 2: Enrolled in quality improvement
• Level 3: Implementing quality practices
• Level 4: High-quality practices demonstrated
• Level 5: Highest quality, continuous improvement

How to use it:

• Look for Level 3+ for quality assurance
• WCCC families may get priority at higher-rated providers

Licensing Requirements

Washington has moderate licensing requirements:

Age Group	Staff:Child Ratio	Maximum Group Size
Infants (0-12 months)	1:4	8
Toddlers (12-29 months)	1:7	14
Preschool (30 months-6)	1:10	20

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FAQ

Q: Why is Seattle childcare so expensive?

A: High cost of living (Seattle real estate is among the priciest in the nation), tech industry salaries driving up wages across all sectors, strong licensing requirements, and intense demand from dual-income families all contribute.

Q: Is Eastside or Seattle more expensive for childcare?

A: The Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) is typically 10-15% more expensive than Seattle due to Microsoft, Google, and Meta presence and higher household incomes. However, tech company subsidies can offset this.

Q: Does Washington have free Pre-K?

A: ECEAP provides free preschool for income-qualifying families (up to 110% poverty level). Seattle's SPP program offers free or subsidized preschool for all Seattle residents on a sliding scale.

Q: What's the cheapest area in Washington for childcare?

A: Eastern Washington (Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima) offers the lowest costs, often 40-50% less than Seattle. Within the Seattle metro, South Sound (Tacoma, Federal Way) is most affordable.

Q: How long are Seattle daycare waitlists?

A: Capitol Hill/Queen Anne: 12-18 months. Ballard/Fremont: 9-15 months. Eastside: 12-18 months. South Sound: 3-9 months. Always start looking as early as possible.

Q: Do tech companies really offer $25,000 childcare subsidies?

A: Yes, some do. Microsoft, Google, and Meta offer the most generous benefits. However, benefits vary by role and level. Always check your specific benefits package.

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Conclusion

Washington State has some of the highest childcare costs in the nation, driven by the Seattle metro area's tech economy. However, strong assistance programs (WCCC, ECEAP, SPP), generous employer benefits, and the lack of state income tax provide significant relief for many families. Eastern Washington offers substantial savings for those willing to relocate.

Key takeaways:

• Seattle and Eastside are among the most expensive markets nationally
• Tech employer benefits can save $5,000-25,000/year, check your benefits
• ECEAP and Seattle Preschool Program provide free/subsidized preschool
• Eastern Washington offers 40-50% savings compared to Seattle
• No state income tax, but FSA still provides federal savings
• Start waitlists very early: 12-18 months for popular Seattle/Eastside programs

Sources

• Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (center-based prices) and Table II (family child care prices)
• Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price and Supply (national average price of care)
• Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Working Connections Child Care: dcyf.wa.gov
• DCYF, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP): dcyf.wa.gov
• IRS, Publication 15-B (2026 dependent care assistance limit of $7,500)
• ChildCarePath, child care ratios by state (licensing staff-to-child ratios)

Researched from the sources above; not professional financial, tax or legal advice. Regional ranges are estimates. Tuition and program rules change, so confirm current rates and eligibility with providers and the agencies listed.

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More Washington childcare resources:

• How Much Does Child Care Cost? →
• How to Afford Child Care →
• Childcare Costs in California →
• Best Childcare Options Compared →
• Best Nap Mat for Daycare →
• What to Pack for Daycare →

What every centre asks you to bring

Whatever else changes between programmes, the supply list barely does. These four turn up on nearly every one.

Best Nap Mat

Wildkin Nap Mat with Pillow and Blanket

Budget: Under $100

Mat, blanket and removable pillow in one roll, and it is machine washable, which is what decides whether a mat survives a year of daily use.

Check price on Amazon

Best Backpack

Skip Hop Sparks Kid's Backpack

Budget: Under $50

Sized for a preschooler rather than a school-age child, so it actually fits a classroom cubby.

Check price on Amazon

Best Lunch Box

Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box

Budget: Under $50

Leakproof compartments a small child can open unaided, which is the whole test for a daycare lunch.

Check price on Amazon

Best Labels

Name Bubbles Custom Name Labels (95 Labels)

Budget: Under $50

Ninety-five waterproof labels in six sizes. Every centre requires everything named, and this covers a full year.

Check price on Amazon

The purchases that actually move the budget

Wipes and labels are noise. These four are where the money in the first two years genuinely goes, and each one is bought roughly once.

Biggest Single Purchase

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

Budget: Under $500

Converts from rear-facing infant seat through to a booster, so it is bought once instead of three times. The single largest line on most first-year budgets.

Check price on Amazon

Pays For Itself

Spectra S2 Plus Electric Breast Pump

Budget: Under $250

Hospital-grade and quiet enough to use at a desk. Worth pricing against formula before you assume it is an expense rather than a saving.

Check price on Amazon

Best Monitor

Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Video Monitor

Budget: Under $250

A dedicated parent unit with no app and no account, so there is nothing to hack and nothing for a sitter to configure.

Check price on Amazon

Best Play Yard

Toddleroo 3-in-1 Metal Superyard

Budget: Under $250

Turns any room into a safe space you can leave a toddler in, which is the difference between working from home and not.

Check price on Amazon