Daycare Cost: Dallas vs Seattle (2026)
Dallas infant center care runs $1010/month — $1420/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $17,040/year per child.
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Dallas vs Seattle — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Dallas | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $2,430/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $2,150/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo ✓ | $1,820/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $1,530/mo |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo ✓ | $1,960/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/mo ✓ | $4,590/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Dallas costs $12,120/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$1,420
Annual savings
$17,040
2-year infant care
$34,080
% difference
141%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Dallas 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.
Dallas
14.8%
of $82k median income
Seattle
28.9%
of $101k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
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.
Dallas, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Seattle, 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 Dallas or Seattle?
Dallas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1010/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $1420/month gap. Dallas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Dallas?
Infant center-based care in Dallas runs $1420/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $34,080 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. Dallas is $220 below the national average, and Seattle is $1200 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Dallas · Daycare in Seattle · All city comparisons