Is private school cheaper in Austin or Birmingham?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Birmingham over Austin?

Average tuition in Birmingham is $7,900/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $5,700/year in Birmingham.

How do Austin and Birmingham private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Birmingham

Birmingham averages $7,900/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Birmingham	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$5,700/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$9,100/yr	+$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Birmingham

$98,800

Choosing Birmingham saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Birmingham breakdown →

Texas private school costs Alabama private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.