Is private school cheaper in Austin or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $2,100/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Austin and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $2,100/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$24,500/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$11,000/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$16,500/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Texas private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Denver vs Phoenix →

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.