Daycare Cost: Dallas vs Portland (2026)
Dallas infant center care runs $1010/month — $870/month less than Portland's $1880/month. That's $10,440/year per child.
Dallas, TX
$1010
infant/month
-$220 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Dallas vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Dallas | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,010/mo ✓ | $1,880/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $900/mo ✓ | $1,650/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $760/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| School Age | $630/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Infant — Home | $780/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,460/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, Dallas costs $12,120/year vs Portland's $22,560/year.
Monthly savings
$870
Annual savings
$10,440
2-year infant care
$20,880
% difference
86%
Savings = Portland cost minus Dallas 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.
Dallas
14.8%
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.
Dallas, 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 Dallas or Portland?
Dallas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1010/month, vs. $1880/month in Portland — a $870/month gap. Dallas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Portland to Dallas?
Infant center-based care in Dallas runs $870/month less than in Portland. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $20,880 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. Dallas is $220 below the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Dallas · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons