Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Houston (2026)
Houston infant center care runs $1040/month — $1390/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $16,680/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Houston, TX
$1040
infant/month
-$190 vs national avg
Seattle vs Houston — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,040/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $920/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $780/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $640/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $800/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/mo | $2,530/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Houston costs $12,480/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$1,390
Annual savings
$16,680
2-year infant care
$33,360
% difference
134%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Houston cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Seattle or Houston?
Houston is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1040/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $1390/month gap. Houston wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Houston?
Infant center-based care in Houston runs $1390/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $33,360 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 Houston is $190 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Houston · All city comparisons