Childcare cost in Washington (2025 price-year)
Infant center-based care runs $20,677/year ($398/week), preschool $14,413/year. That's 17.5% of the typical WA household income.
| Infant (under 2), center-based | $20,677/yr ≈ $398/wk |
| Preschool (4yo) | $14,413/yr |
| % of median household income | 17.5% |
| US rank (cost, 51 metros) | #8 |
| US average infant cost | $14,802/yr |
Source: Child Care Aware of America cost survey (EPI lineage), 2025 price-year, compiled July 2026. Center-based means licensed center, not family/home provider (home care is typically 30–50% cheaper).
Washington vs the neighbors
| Washington | $20,677 | 17.5% of income |
| Alaska | $20,943 | 19.4% of income |
| Connecticut | $20,254 | 16.2% of income |
| Hawaii | $21,167 | 20% of income |
What actually lowers the bill
- Federal child-care tax credit: up to $3,000 per child (one child $5,500… for 2+), refundable-portion rules apply, the only direct federal relief.
- Employer dependent-care FSA: $5,000 per household pre-tax, stackable with the credit for a meaningful $667+ annual cut at WA tax rates.
- Child Care Development Fund subsidies in WA: sliding-scale eligibility commonly extends past 150% of the state median income for young children, check WA DHS/DCF "childcare subsidy".
- Structured alternatives: family home care ($30–50% cheaper), co-op share (1 educator shared across 3 families), university/lab-school slots with sibling discounts.
- Negotiation: infant rooms run highest per-child staffing ratios; moving to a toddler-room placement at 18–24 months typically drops WA prices 15–25%.
Frequently asked
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
$20,677 a year for an infant in a licensed center, about $398 a week, and 17.5% of a typical Washington household income. Preschool runs $14,413.
Is Washington expensive for childcare?
#8 of 51 metros on infant cost. The US average is $14,802. It's among the priciest states.
How does daycare cost in Washington compare to salary?
At 17.5% of median household income for one infant, a two-parent household paying full price pays more than most car payments for one child. Use the break-even calculator for the stay-home side of the math.