Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Tacoma (2026)
Tacoma infant center care runs $1980/month — $450/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $5,400/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Tacoma, WA
$1980
infant/month
+$750 vs national avg
Seattle vs Tacoma — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,980/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,750/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $1,490/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $1,240/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,600/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/mo | $3,740/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Tacoma costs $23,760/year vs Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$450
Annual savings
$5,400
2-year infant care
$10,800
% difference
23%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Tacoma cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Seattle or Tacoma?
Tacoma is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1980/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $450/month gap. Tacoma wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Tacoma?
Infant center-based care in Tacoma runs $450/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,800 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 Tacoma is $750 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Tacoma · All city comparisons