Daycare Cost in King County, WA
Childcare pricing data for King County, Washington (2022). Population: 2,254,371.
Compared to Washington Average
Center-based infant care in King County costs $24,879/year, which is $8,892 more (56% above average) compared to the Washington average of $15,987/year.
All Childcare Prices
| Care Type | Weekly | Annual (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Center-Based Infant | $478/week | $24,879 |
| Center-Based Toddler | $390/week | $20,264 |
| Center-Based Preschool | $390/week | $20,264 |
| Family Infant | $347/week | $18,040 |
| Family Toddler | $310/week | $16,112 |
| Family Preschool | $310/week | $16,112 |
Affordability Context
The median household income in King County is $116,340. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of household income. At 21%, center-based infant care in King County exceeds this threshold.
Childcare in King County, WA
King County, anchored by Seattle, is home to 2.3 million residents and the headquarters of tech giants Amazon, Microsoft (in adjacent Redmond), and numerous startups and established firms driving the region's economy. The concentration of high-paying tech jobs has pushed childcare costs to among the highest in the nation, with infant care averaging $24,879 per year and premium Seattle programs exceeding $30,000. Boeing's Renton and Everett operations, major healthcare systems like UW Medicine and Swedish, and the county's logistics sector round out an economy where dual-income families face fierce competition for quality childcare slots. King County's progressive political environment has generated several local childcare funding initiatives that supplement state programs.
Finding Care
Seattle proper has a relatively dense childcare market, but demand from the tech workforce ensures that waitlists of 6–18 months for infant care are standard at popular centers in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Fremont. Eastside communities including Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond have seen a construction boom in childcare centers near tech campuses, yet supply still lags demand. South King County cities like Kent, Renton, and Federal Way offer more affordable options but have fewer quality-rated providers per capita.
Local Resources
Child Care Resources serves as King County's designated CCR&R, providing free referrals, subsidy navigation through Washington's Working Connections Child Care program, and quality improvement support for providers. The city of Seattle operates the Seattle Preschool Program, offering free or income-scaled preschool at dozens of community-based sites for three- and four-year-olds. King County has an extensive Head Start and ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) network operated by agencies including Puget Sound ESD, Community Day Center Association, and Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA), serving both English-speaking and immigrant families.
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Other Counties in Washington
Counties with similar daycare costs to King County.
| County | Center Infant (yr) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Island County | $18,868 | $6,011 less |
| San Juan County | $18,868 | $6,011 less |
| Skagit County | $18,868 | $6,011 less |
| Snohomish County | $18,868 | $6,011 less |
| Whatcom County | $18,868 | $6,011 less |