Is private school cheaper in Austin or Sacramento?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Austin is $500/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Austin and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Sacramento

Austin averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$9,800/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$28,500/yr	-$300
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$19,800/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Austin saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Texas private school costs California 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.