Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Clackamas County, OR
In Clackamas County, OR, center-based childcare costs $358/wk for infants, $331/wk for toddlers, $259/wk for preschoolers, and $95/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 28% ($99/wk, $5,125/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($358/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($95/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Clackamas County track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $358/wk ($18,618/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $259/wk ($13,493/yr). That's a 28% drop — about $99/wk, or $5,125 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Clackamas County is Infant (0-1) at $358/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $95/wk — a spread of $263/wk between the most and least expensive bands. Cost declines steadily from infant to toddler to preschool, the typical national shape. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $95/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $358 | $18,618 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $331 | $17,207 | -$27 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $259 | $13,493 | -$99 |
| School-Age (6+) | $95 | $4,951 | -$263 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $95,740 |
| Burden Index | 19.4% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Clackamas County compare?
At $358/wk for infant center care, Clackamas County runs 106% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 19.4% of median household income — a high burden, more than double the 7% HHS affordability threshold.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Clackamas County runs $230/wk for infants — about 36% less than center-based care, or $6,677 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $95/wk (center) or $167/wk (family).
More about Clackamas County
The data source behind this answer is the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Every figure on the page traces back to that source; the methodology page describes the inputs and the refresh cadence in full detail.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.