Daycare Cost: Washington vs Kansas City (2026)
Kansas City infant center care runs $950/month — $1450/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $17,400/year per child.
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Kansas City, MO
$950
infant/month
-$280 vs national avg
Washington vs Kansas City — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Washington | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,400/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,100/mo | $840/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,800/mo | $710/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,500/mo | $590/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,900/mo | $740/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/mo | $2,310/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Kansas City costs $11,400/year vs Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$1,450
Annual savings
$17,400
2-year infant care
$34,800
% difference
153%
Savings = Washington cost minus Kansas City 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.
Washington
20.3%
of $142k median income
Kansas City
15.5%
of $74k 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.
Washington, DC — CCDF
Check eligibility →Kansas City, MO — 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 Washington or Kansas City?
Kansas City is cheaper for infant center-based care at $950/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $1450/month gap. Kansas City wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Kansas City?
Infant center-based care in Kansas City runs $1450/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $34,800 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. Washington is $1170 above the national average, and Kansas City is $280 below.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Washington · Daycare in Kansas City · All city comparisons