Childcare Costs in Seattle, WA (2026)
Average daycare, nanny, and au pair costs for the Seattle metro area
Childcare in Seattle is 90% above the national average for daycare center care. The most affordable option for a single infant is In-Home Daycare at approximately $19,650/year ($1,638/month), while a Full-Time Nanny is the most expensive at $57,990/year ($4,833/month) before employer taxes, based on Care.com's October 2026 average local nanny rate of $27.88/hour.
Families in Washington may also qualify for state-specific tax credits and childcare subsidy programs that can reduce these costs by $2,000–$6,000+ annually. Use our free calculator with zip code 98101 for personalized estimates including tax savings.
How Seattle Childcare Costs Compare
Seattle's infant daycare price of $32,840/year places it #1 of the 44 metros in our dataset, one of the most expensive metros in the country. Infant daycare here runs 90% above the national average of $17,260.
A licensed in-home daycare ($19,650/year) is the lowest-cost regulated option in Seattle, while a full-time nanny ($57,990/year) sits at the top — a $38,340 gap for the same infant. Because au pair costs are a flat ~$22,000/year nationwide, an au pair actually undercuts a Seattle daycare center by about $10,840/year — a reversal of the usual order that reflects how high local center tuition is.
Families with two children in care feel it most: an infant plus a toddler in daycare runs about $63,240/year in Seattle before any sibling discount (centers commonly offer 5–15% off the second child). On a weekly basis, infant care alone is roughly $632.
Average Annual Childcare Costs in Seattle
| Care Type | Infant (0–1) | Toddler (1–3) | Preschool (3–5) | School-Age (5–12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daycare Center | $32,840 | $30,400 | $26,300 | $11,500 |
| In-Home Daycare | $19,650 | $18,580 | $16,660 | $9,500 |
| Full-Time Nanny | $57,990 | $57,990 | $57,990 | $19,830 |
| Nanny Share | $38,660 | $38,660 | $38,660 | $13,220 |
| Au Pair | $22,000/year (flat rate per household) | |||
Costs are annual estimates for full-time care (5 days/week); school-age figures are before/after-school care (nanny: 15 hours/week) and exclude full-day summer care. Part-time schedules reduce costs proportionally. Nanny costs do not include employer payroll taxes (~10.25% additional). Sources: Care.com average nanny rates for Seattle, WA ($27.88/hour full-time, $25.42/hour after school, October 2026); Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report national daycare rates, adjusted to the Seattle metro. How we calculate.
Monthly Childcare Costs in Seattle
Here's what families in Seattle can expect to pay per month for infant care (the most expensive age group):
How to Save on Childcare in Seattle
- Max out your Dependent Care FSA — Contribute up to $7,500 pre-tax in 2026 ($3,750 if married filing separately; employer plan required). At a 12–24% federal bracket plus 7.65% FICA that saves about $1,470–$2,380 before state tax. This benefit is available regardless of which state you live in.
- Claim the federal Child & Dependent Care Credit — For 2026 the credit is 20–50% of up to $3,000 (one child) or $6,000 (two or more), but dollars paid through a Dependent Care FSA reduce those caps, so a full $7,500 FSA leaves no credit.
- Washington has no state income tax — While you won't get state-level tax deductions, your take-home pay is higher, and all federal benefits still apply.
- Consider a nanny share — In Seattle, a nanny share costs roughly $38,660/year per family vs. $57,990/year for a solo nanny — a savings of $19,330/year.
- Check Washington subsidy programs — Enter your zip code in our calculator to see if you qualify for state-funded childcare assistance.
Washington Childcare Assistance & Subsidies
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
Washington's WCCC program provides childcare subsidies to families earning up to 60% of the State Median Income. The state has been expanding eligibility and recently invested in the Fair Start for Kids Act, which increased subsidy rates and expanded access.
State Tax Benefits
Washington has no state income tax, so there are no state-level childcare tax credits. However, the state's lack of income tax means higher take-home pay to offset childcare costs.
Learn more about maximizing your savings in our Childcare Tax Benefits Guide or see our full Washington Childcare Subsidies Guide.
Get Your Personalized Estimate
These are averages for the Seattle metro area. Your actual costs depend on your specific location, number of children, ages, and schedule. Our free calculator gives you a personalized breakdown including tax savings.
Calculate Your Costs (Zip: 98101)