Daycare Cost: San Francisco vs Portland (2026)
Portland infant center care runs $1880/month — $780/month less than San Francisco's $2660/month. That's $9,360/year per child.
San Francisco, CA
$2660
infant/month
+$1430 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
San Francisco vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | San Francisco | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,660/mo | $1,880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,370/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,920/mo | $1,400/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,630/mo | $1,180/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $2,070/mo | $1,500/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $5,180/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 San Francisco's $31,920/year.
Monthly savings
$780
Annual savings
$9,360
2-year infant care
$18,720
% difference
41%
Savings = San Francisco 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.
San Francisco
31.2%
of $102k 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.
San Francisco, CA — 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 San Francisco or Portland?
Portland is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1880/month, vs. $2660/month in San Francisco — a $780/month gap. Portland wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from San Francisco to Portland?
Infant center-based care in Portland runs $780/month less than in San Francisco. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $18,720 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. San Francisco is $1430 above the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in San Francisco · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons