Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Bakersfield (2026)
Bakersfield infant center care runs $1710/month — $720/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $8,640/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Bakersfield, CA
$1710
infant/month
+$480 vs national avg
Seattle vs Bakersfield — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,710/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,520/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $1,240/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $1,050/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,330/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/mo | $3,330/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Bakersfield costs $20,520/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$720
Annual savings
$8,640
2-year infant care
$17,280
% difference
42%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Bakersfield 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.
Seattle
28.9%
of $101k median income
Bakersfield
20.0%
of $102k 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.
Seattle, WA — CCDF
Check eligibility →Bakersfield, CA — 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 Seattle or Bakersfield?
Bakersfield is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1710/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $720/month gap. Bakersfield wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Bakersfield?
Infant center-based care in Bakersfield runs $720/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $17,280 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. Seattle is $1200 above the national average, and Bakersfield is $480 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Bakersfield · All city comparisons