Daycare Cost: Colorado Springs, CO vs Seattle, WA (2026)
Colorado Springs, CO infant center care runs $1150/month — $830/month less than Seattle, WA's $1980/month. That's $9,960/year per child.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO
$1150
infant/month
-$80 vs national avg
Seattle, WA, WA
$1980
infant/month
+$750 vs national avg
Colorado Springs, CO vs Seattle, WA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,150/mo ✓ | $1,980/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,740/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $865/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| School Age | $725/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Infant — Home | $910/mo ✓ | $1,570/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,500/mo ✓ | $4,300/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Colorado Springs, CO costs $13,800/year vs Seattle, WA's $23,760/year.
Monthly savings
$830
Annual savings
$9,960
2-year infant care
$19,920
% difference
72%
Savings = Seattle, WA cost minus Colorado Springs, CO cost. Infant center-based care only.
Affordability Index
Infant center care as a % of state median household income. Under 7% is considered affordable; over 10% is a heavy burden.
Colorado Springs, CO
15.8%
of $88k median income
Seattle, WA
26.0%
of $91k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
Subsidy Availability (CCDF)
Federal Child Care and Development Fund eligibility thresholds by state. Families below the income limit may qualify for reduced-cost or free care.
Colorado Springs, CO, CO — CCDF
Check eligibility →Seattle, WA, WA — CCDF
Check eligibility →CCDF thresholds vary by state and are updated annually. Verify current limits at childcare.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Colorado Springs, CO or Seattle, WA?
Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1150/month, vs. $1980/month in Seattle, WA — a $830/month gap. Colorado Springs, CO wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle, WA to Colorado Springs, CO?
Infant center-based care in Colorado Springs, CO runs $830/month less than in Seattle, WA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,920 saved — not counting toddler or preschool years.
How do both cities compare to the national average?
The national average for infant center-based care is $1230/month. Colorado Springs, CO is $80 below the national average, and Seattle, WA is $750 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Colorado Springs, CO · Daycare in Seattle, WA · All city comparisons