Daycare Cost: Portland vs Honolulu (2026)
Honolulu infant center care runs $1650/month — $230/month less than Portland's $1880/month. That's $2,760/year per child.
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Honolulu, HI
$1650
infant/month
+$420 vs national avg
Portland vs Honolulu — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Portland | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,880/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $1,650/mo | $1,430/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,400/mo | $1,210/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,180/mo | $1,010/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,500/mo | $1,320/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,630/mo | $3,300/mo ✓ |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Honolulu costs $19,800/year vs Portland's $22,560/year.
Monthly savings
$230
Annual savings
$2,760
2-year infant care
$5,520
% difference
14%
Savings = Portland cost minus Honolulu 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.
Portland
26.9%
of $84k median income
Honolulu
19.5%
of $101k 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.
Portland, OR — CCDF
Check eligibility →Honolulu, HI — 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 Portland or Honolulu?
Honolulu is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1650/month, vs. $1880/month in Portland — a $230/month gap. Honolulu wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Portland to Honolulu?
Infant center-based care in Honolulu runs $230/month less than in Portland. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $5,520 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. Portland is $650 above the national average, and Honolulu is $420 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Portland · Daycare in Honolulu · All city comparisons