Daycare Cost: Washington vs Portland (2026)
Portland infant center care runs $1880/month — $520/month less than Washington's $2400/month. That's $6,240/year per child.
Washington, DC
$2400
infant/month
+$1170 vs national avg
Portland, OR
$1880
infant/month
+$650 vs national avg
Washington vs Portland — All Care Types
Monthly costs. Green = lower cost. National average shown for context.
| Care Type | Washington | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Infant — Center | $2,400/mo | $1,880/mo ✓ |
| Toddler — Center | $2,100/mo | $1,650/mo ✓ |
| Preschool — Center | $1,800/mo | $1,400/mo ✓ |
| School Age | $1,500/mo | $1,180/mo ✓ |
| Infant — Home | $1,900/mo | $1,500/mo ✓ |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/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 Washington's $28,800/year.
Monthly savings
$520
Annual savings
$6,240
2-year infant care
$12,480
% difference
28%
Savings = Washington 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.
Washington
20.3%
of $142k 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.
Washington, DC — 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 Washington or Portland?
Portland is cheaper for infant center-based care at $1880/month, vs. $2400/month in Washington — a $520/month gap. Portland wins on 6 of 6 care categories.
How much can I save on daycare moving from Washington to Portland?
Infant center-based care in Portland runs $520/month less than in Washington. Over a typical two-year infant care period, that's $12,480 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. Washington is $1170 above the national average, and Portland is $650 above.
Related Comparisons
See full cost breakdown: Daycare in Washington · Daycare in Portland · All city comparisons