Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Houston
Atlanta averages $600/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Atlanta is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.
Atlanta
GA
$15,200
avg tuition/year
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Atlanta | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,200/yr | $15,800/yr | -$600 |
| Religious Schools | $9,400/yr | $9,200/yr | +$200 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,500/yr | $28,000/yr | +$500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,500/yr | $13,000/yr | -$500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,200/yr | $15,800/yr | -$600 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,800/yr | $19,500/yr | -$700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Atlanta
$197,600
Houston
$205,400
Choosing Atlanta saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.
Sample Schools
Atlanta
The Westminster Schools
Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr
Pace Academy
Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr
Lovett School
Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr
Marist School Atlanta
Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr
Houston
St. John's School (Houston)
Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr
Kinkaid School
Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr
Related Comparisons
About This Comparison
This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.
Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.