Daycare Cost: Denver vs Portland (2026)
Portland infant center care runs $1880/month — $120/month less than Denver's $2000/month. That's $1,440/year per child.
Denver, CO
$2000
infant/month
+$770 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Denver vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Denver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,000/mo | $1,880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,750/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,500/mo | $1,400/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,250/mo | $1,180/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,500/mo | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,000/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, Portland costs $22,560/year vs Denver's $24,000/year.
Monthly savings
$120
Annual savings
$1,440
2-year infant care
$2,880
% difference
6%
Savings = Denver cost minus Portland 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.
Denver
24.6%
of $97k 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.
Denver, CO — 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 Denver or Portland?
Portland is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1880/month, vs. $2000/month in Denver — a $120/month gap. Portland wins on 5 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Denver to Portland?
Infant center-based care in Portland runs $120/month less than in Denver. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $2,880 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. Denver is $770 above the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Denver · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons