Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Milwaukee (2026)
Milwaukee infant center care runs $1260/month — $1170/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $14,040/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Milwaukee, WI
$1260
infant/month
+$30 vs national avg
Seattle vs Milwaukee — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,260/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,110/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/mo | $2,730/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Milwaukee costs $15,120/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$1,170
Annual savings
$14,040
2-year infant care
$28,080
% difference
93%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Milwaukee 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
Milwaukee
19.3%
of $78k 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 →Milwaukee, WI — 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 Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1260/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $1170/month gap. Milwaukee wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Milwaukee?
Infant center-based care in Milwaukee runs $1170/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $28,080 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. Seattle is $1200 above the national average, and Milwaukee is $30 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Milwaukee · All city comparisons