Daycare Cost: Washington vs Milwaukee (2026)
Milwaukee infant center care runs $1260/month — $1140/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $13,680/year per child.
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Milwaukee, WI
$1260
infant/month
+$30 vs national avg
Washington vs Milwaukee — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Washington | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,400/mo | $1,260/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,100/mo | $1,110/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,800/mo | $950/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,500/mo | $790/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,900/mo | $1,000/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/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 Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$1,140
Annual savings
$13,680
2-year infant care
$27,360
% difference
90%
Savings = Washington 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.
Washington
20.3%
of $142k 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.
Washington, DC — 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 Washington or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1260/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $1140/month gap. Milwaukee wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Milwaukee?
Infant center-based care in Milwaukee runs $1140/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $27,360 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. Washington is $1170 above the national average, and Milwaukee is $30 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Washington · Daycare in Milwaukee · All city comparisons