Daycare Cost: Las Vegas vs Portland (2026)
Las Vegas infant center care runs $1050/month — $830/month less than Portland's $1880/month. That's $9,960/year per child.
Las Vegas, NV
$1050
infant/month
-$180 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Las Vegas vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Las Vegas | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,050/mo ✓ | $1,880/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $920/mo ✓ | $1,650/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $790/mo ✓ | $1,400/mo |
| School Age | $650/mo ✓ | $1,180/mo |
| Infant — Home | $810/mo ✓ | $1,500/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,420/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, Las Vegas costs $12,600/year vs Portland's $22,560/year.
Monthly savings
$830
Annual savings
$9,960
2-year infant care
$19,920
% difference
79%
Savings = Portland cost minus Las Vegas 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.
Las Vegas
16.0%
of $79k 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.
Las Vegas, NV — 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 Las Vegas or Portland?
Las Vegas is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1050/month, vs. $1880/month in Portland — a $830/month gap. Las Vegas wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Portland to Las Vegas?
Infant center-based care in Las Vegas runs $830/month less than in Portland. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $19,920 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. Las Vegas is $180 below the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Las Vegas · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons