Daycare Cost: New York vs Seattle (2026)
Seattle infant center care runs $2430/month — $330/month less than New York's $2760/month. That's $3,960/year per child.
New York, NY
$2760
infant/month
+$1530 vs national avg
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
New York vs Seattle — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | New York | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,760/mo | $2,430/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,440/mo | $2,150/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $2,070/mo | $1,820/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,730/mo | $1,530/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,250/mo | $1,960/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,370/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, Seattle costs $29,160/year vs New York's $33,120/year.
Monthly savings
$330
Annual savings
$3,960
2-year infant care
$7,920
% difference
14%
Savings = New York cost minus Seattle 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.
New York
35.5%
of $93k 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.
New York, NY — 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 New York or Seattle?
Seattle is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2430/month, vs. $2760/month in New York — a $330/month gap. Seattle wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from New York to Seattle?
Infant center-based care in Seattle runs $330/month less than in New York. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $7,920 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. New York is $1530 above the national average, and Seattle is $1200 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in New York · Daycare in Seattle · All city comparisons