Daycare Cost: Austin vs Portland (2026)
Austin infant center care runs $1080/month — $800/month less than Portland's $1880/month. That's $9,600/year per child.
Austin, TX
$1080
infant/month
-$150 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Austin vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Austin | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,080/mo ✓ | $1,880/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $960/mo ✓ | $1,650/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $820/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| School Age | $670/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Infant — Home | $840/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,640/mo ✓ | $3,630/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Austin costs $12,960/year vs Portland's $22,560/year.
Monthly savings
$800
Annual savings
$9,600
2-year infant care
$19,200
% difference
74%
Savings = Portland cost minus Austin 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.
Austin
15.8%
of $82k median income
Portland
26.9%
of $84k 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.
Austin, TX — CCDF
Check eligibility →Portland, OR — 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 Austin or Portland?
Austin is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1080/month, vs. $1880/month in Portland — a $800/month gap. Austin wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Portland to Austin?
Infant center-based care in Austin runs $800/month less than in Portland. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,200 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. Austin is $150 below the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Austin · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons