Washington childcare cost
West region · NDCP 2018 data · median of 39 counties
In Washington, median center-based infant care costs about $12,900 per year ($248/week) — about 62% above the US median of $7,987. That is roughly 17.9% of Washington's median household income ($72,070), versus the 7% federal affordability benchmark (heavy burden). Prices fall for older children: preschool care runs about $9,744/year. Figures are 2018 medians from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of June 2026.
Washington childcare prices by age and care type
Median weekly and annualized (×52) prices, 2018:
| Age group | Center /wk | Center /yr | % of income | Family /wk | Family /yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 months) | $248 | $12,900 | 17.9% | $185 | $9,600 |
| Toddler (24–35 months) | $212 | $11,040 | 15.3% | $170 | $8,820 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | $187 | $9,744 | 13.5% | $156 | $8,100 |
| School-age (before/after school) | $129 | $6,732 | 9.3% | $140 | $7,260 |
Source: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018). Data as of June 2026.
"Center" = licensed childcare center/daycare; "Family" = home-based family childcare. Annual = weekly median × 52 weeks. "% of income" compares annual center cost with Washington's median household income of $72,070. Estimate — verify current prices with providers.
What these numbers mean for Washington families
Childcare is one of the largest line items in a young family's budget. In Washington, a year of center-based infant care ($12,900) is equal to about 17.9% of the typical household's income. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as no more than 7% of household income — so Washington sits roughly double the affordability benchmark. Costs typically ease as a child ages out of infant care into preschool ($9,744/year here) and again into school-age before/after care.
How Washington compares with similar states
The five states with the closest infant-care cost to Washington:
| State | Infant (center)/yr | % of income | Preschool/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington (this state) | $12,900 | 17.9% | $9,744 |
| New Jersey | $13,193 | 16.4% | $10,096 |
| Vermont | $11,929 | 19.6% | $10,910 |
| Rhode Island | $14,073 | 22.2% | $12,063 |
| Maryland | $11,550 | 13.7% | $7,988 |
| New York | $11,429 | 16.5% | $10,130 |
By annual infant-care cost, Washington ranks #9 of 49 reporting states (1 = most expensive). See the full most expensive and cheapest rankings.
Counties in Washington
County-level median prices we publish for Washington:
- King County — infant center care $18,962/yr (2018)
Frequently asked questions
How much does infant daycare cost in Washington?
In Washington, the median price of center-based infant care is about $12,900 per year ($248 per week), based on 2018 data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. That is about 62% above the US median of $7,987. Family (home-based) infant care is typically cheaper. Verify current local prices with providers.
Is childcare affordable in Washington?
Median center-based infant care in Washington costs about 17.9% of the state's median household income ($72,070). The US affordability benchmark is 7% of income, so Washington is roughly double the affordability benchmark. Few US states meet the 7% benchmark for infant care.
Is center-based or family childcare cheaper in Washington?
Family (home-based) childcare in Washington is usually the cheaper option for infants — about $9,600 per year versus $12,900 for a center. Family care offers smaller groups in a provider's home; centers offer more structure and longer, more reliable hours.
What year is this Washington childcare data from?
These are 2018 median prices — the latest year Washington appears in the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). State survey cycles differ, so a few states' latest year is earlier than 2018. Prices have risen since; treat these as a baseline and confirm current rates locally.
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Source & accuracy
Prices: U.S. DOL Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (2018, public domain). The state figure is the median of 39 county values; "% of income" is derived from the state's median household income (American Community Survey, via the NDCP). The annualization (×52) and shares are documented on our methodology page. These are historical medians; childcare prices have risen since 2018. Verify current local prices with providers before relying on them.
Last updated: 2026-06-20