Daycare Cost: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA (2026)
Portland, OR infant center care runs $1560/month — $420/month less than Seattle, WA's $1980/month. That's $5,040/year per child.
Portland, OR, OR
$1560
infant/month
+$330 vs national avg
Seattle, WA, WA
$1980
infant/month
+$750 vs national avg
Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $1,560/mo ✓ | $1,980/mo |
| Toddler — Center | $1,370/mo ✓ | $1,740/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,170/mo ✓ | $1,490/mo |
| School Age | $980/mo ✓ | $1,250/mo |
| Infant — Home | $1,235/mo ✓ | $1,570/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $3,400/mo ✓ | $4,300/mo |
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Annual Cost Impact
For infant center-based care, Portland, OR costs $18,720/year vs Seattle, WA's $23,760/year.
Monthly savings
$420
Annual savings
$5,040
2-year infant care
$10,080
% difference
27%
Savings = Seattle, WA cost minus Portland, OR 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, OR
24.5%
of $76k median income
Seattle, WA
26.0%
of $91k median income
National Avg
18.3%
of $80.6k median income
Your Affordability Check
Enter your household income to see what daycare would cost as a percentage of your budget in each city.
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, OR — CCDF
Check eligibility →Seattle, WA, WA — 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 or Seattle, WA?
Portland, OR is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1560/month, vs. $1980/month in Seattle, WA — a $420/month gap. Portland, OR wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR?
Infant center-based care in Portland, OR runs $420/month less than in Seattle, WA. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $10,080 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, OR is $330 above the national average, and Seattle, WA is $750 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Portland, OR · Daycare in Seattle, WA · All city comparisons