Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Spokane (2026)
Spokane infant center care runs $1800/month — $630/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $7,560/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Spokane, WA
$1800
infant/month
+$570 vs national avg
Seattle vs Spokane — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,800/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,590/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $1,350/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $1,130/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,450/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/mo | $3,400/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Spokane costs $21,600/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$630
Annual savings
$7,560
2-year infant care
$15,120
% difference
35%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Spokane cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Seattle or Spokane?
Spokane is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1800/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $630/month gap. Spokane wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Spokane?
Infant center-based care in Spokane runs $630/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $15,120 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 Spokane is $570 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Spokane · All city comparisons