How much childcare costs in Washington
Center-based infant care in Washington costs about $23,513 a year in 2026 dollars (estimate), or $1,959 a month. In 2022 federal data it was $19,236, 17.6% of the median family income and 2.5× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark.
Cost by age and care type
Annual prices for full-time care, averaged across Washington's counties and weighted by population. 2026 figures are estimates scaled by the BLS day care and preschool CPI to August 2026.
| Age | Center, 2022 | Center, 2026 est. | Home, 2022 | Home, 2026 est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 23 months) | $19,236 | $23,513 | $14,194 | $17,350 |
| Toddler (24 to 35 months) | $15,093 | $18,449 | $12,339 | $15,083 |
| Preschool (36 to 54 months) | $15,093 | $18,449 | $12,370 | $15,120 |
Family child care, in a provider's home, costs about $14,194 a year for an infant in Washington (2022 data): $5,042, or 26% less than a center.
Childcare cost by county in Washington
King County has the highest center-based infant price in Washington, $24,879 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Asotin County and 10 other counties the lowest, $12,326: a gap of $12,553 a year (102% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
| County | Center infant | Toddler | Preschool | Home infant | Family income | Infant share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | $24,879 | $20,264 | $20,264 | $18,040 | $146,231 | 17.0% |
| 5 countiesIsland County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, Whatcom County | $18,868 | $15,090 | $15,090 | $14,344 | $94,291 to $121,379 | 15.5 to 20.0% |
12 countiesClallam County, Clark County, Cowlitz County, Grays Harbor County, Jefferson County, Klickitat County, Lewis County, Mason County, Pacific County, Skamania County, Thurston County, Wahkiakum County | $18,580 | $12,944 | $12,944 | $12,800 | $68,382 to $106,190 | 17.5 to 27.2% |
| 2 countiesKitsap County, Pierce County | $17,034 | $12,951 | $12,951 | $13,200 | $104,927 to $109,621 | 15.5 to 16.2% |
| Spokane County | $14,992 | $11,860 | $11,860 | $11,320 | $89,846 | 16.7% |
| 6 countiesBenton County, Columbia County, Franklin County, Kittitas County, Walla Walla County, Yakima County | $14,060 | $10,800 | $10,800 | $10,296 | $73,344 to $98,476 | 14.3 to 19.2% |
12 countiesAdams County, Asotin County, Chelan County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Garfield County, Grant County, Lincoln County, Okanogan County, Pend Oreille County, Stevens County, Whitman County | $12,326 | $11,260 | $11,260 | $10,296 | $68,425 to $88,710 | 13.9 to 18.0% |
Annual median prices in 2022 data, not quotes. Counties with identical prices are grouped. All 39 center-based infant prices here are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years. How prices are estimated.
Neighboring states
See how Washington compares in the full ranking of childcare costs by state.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daycare in Washington per month?
Center-based infant care in Washington costs about $1,959 a month in estimated 2026 dollars ($1,603 a month in 2022 federal data). In a center, toddler care runs about $1,537 and preschool about $1,537 a month in 2026 dollars, and home-based infant care about $1,446. These are population-weighted averages across Washington's counties; actual prices vary by provider.
What is the cheapest county for childcare in Washington?
King County has the highest center-based infant price in Washington, $24,879 a year in 2022 data, and Adams County, Asotin County and 10 other counties the lowest, $12,326: a gap of $12,553 a year (102% higher). These county prices are Department of Labor estimates: estimated from the state's surveys in other years.
How much of a family's income does childcare take in Washington?
Center-based infant care takes about 17.6% of the median family income in Washington ($19,236 against $109,192, 2022 data), 2.5× the HHS 7% affordability benchmark. That ranks 5 of 49 for burden, where 1 is the heaviest. Across counties it ranges from 13.9% in Douglas County to 27.2% in Wahkiakum County.
Source: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, county file NDCP2022.xlsx (2022 data for Washington). 2026 estimates use the BLS CPI-U day care and preschool index (series CUUR0000SEEB03) to August 2026. Methodology · Download every county (CSV)