Daycare Cost: San Francisco vs Seattle (2026)
Seattle infant center care runs $2430/month — $230/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $2,760/year per child.
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
San Francisco vs Seattle — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,660/mo | $2,430/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,370/mo | $2,150/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,920/mo | $1,820/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,630/mo | $1,530/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,070/mo | $1,960/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,180/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 San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$230
Annual savings
$2,760
2-year infant care
$5,520
% difference
9%
Savings = San Francisco 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.
San Francisco
31.2%
of $102k 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.
San Francisco, CA — 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 San Francisco or Seattle?
Seattle is cheaper for infant center-based care at $2430/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $230/month gap. Seattle wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Seattle?
Infant center-based care in Seattle runs $230/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $5,520 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. San Francisco is $1430 above the national average, and Seattle is $1200 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Francisco · Daycare in Seattle · All city comparisons