Daycare Cost: Seattle vs Portland (2026)
Portland infant center care runs $1880/month — $550/month less than Seattle's $2430/month. That's $6,600/year per child.
Seattle, WA
$2430
infant/month
+$1200 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Seattle vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Seattle | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,430/mo | $1,880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,150/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,820/mo | $1,400/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,530/mo | $1,180/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,960/mo | $1,500/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,590/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 Seattle's $29,160/year.
Monthly savings
$550
Annual savings
$6,600
2-year infant care
$13,200
% difference
29%
Savings = Seattle cost minus Portland cost. Infant center-based care only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daycare cheaper in Seattle or Portland?
Portland is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1880/month, vs. $2430/month in Seattle — a $550/month gap. Portland wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Seattle to Portland?
Infant center-based care in Portland runs $550/month less than in Seattle. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $13,200 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. Seattle is $1200 above the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Seattle · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons