Oregon Childcare Costs by County: Official Data

Oregon is one of the highest-cost states for infant and toddler care in the Pacific Northwest. Official federal figures from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) reveal a statewide population-weighted median of $336.11 per week ($17,478 per year) for infant center care, and $229.63 per week ($11,941 annually) for family child care homes.

In Portland and throughout the Willamette Valley, severe childcare supply shortages combine with progressive regulatory ratios to push tuition rates higher.

Multnomah, Washington, and regional county comparisons

Childcare prices vary substantially across Oregon's geographic regions:

• Multnomah County (Portland): The most expensive county in Oregon. Infant center care averages $375 per week ($19,500 annually), with inner Portland facilities charging $1,750 to $2,200 per month. Home-based infant care averages $260 per week.
• Washington County (Beaverton, Hillsboro): Driven by the Silicon Forest tech corridor, infant center care averages $360 per week ($18,720 per year).
• Clackamas County (Lake Oswego, Oregon City): Infant center care averages $355 per week, and preschool center tuition averages $265 per week.
• Lane County (Eugene): Infant center tuition averages $285 per week ($14,820 annually), and home daycares average $195 per week.
• Marion County (Salem): In the state capital region, infant center care medians drop to $260 per week ($13,520 per year).
• Eastern and Southern Oregon (Jackson, Deschutes, Umatilla): Central Oregon hubs like Bend (Deschutes County) face high tuition ($320/week for infants) due to rapid population growth and facility shortages.

According to reports from the U.S. Department of Labor, Oregon families spend an average of 19% to 23% of household income on infant center care.

Look up detailed county benchmarks in our Oregon childcare cost directory.

Center care versus family child care economics

Opting for licensed family child care homes provides meaningful financial relief across Oregon:

• Infant care savings: Family child care homes average $229.63 per week statewide, saving families roughly $5,537 per year compared to center care ($336.11/week).
• Toddler care savings: Center toddler care averages $309.13 per week ($16,075 annually), compared to $207.78 per week in home-based settings ($10,805 annually), saving over $5,200 per year.
• Preschool care: Center preschool care averages $241.75 per week, while family child care homes average $195.30 per week.

Review our guide on center-based versus family child care to evaluate setting differences.

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) and Preschool Promise

Oregon supports early education through state programs managed by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC):

• Employment Related Day Care (ERDC): Oregon's primary childcare subsidy program, which significantly expanded income eligibility limits and reduced family copayments.
• Co-payments: Copayments are set using a sliding scale based on family income, with lowest-income families paying $0 to $50 per month.
• Preschool Promise: Publicly funded, high-quality preschool for three- and four-year-old children from families earning up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Plan your household budget using our childcare calculator.