Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Buffalo?

Baltimore has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $0/year less, or $0 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Baltimore over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Baltimore is $0/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $0 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $10,600/year in Buffalo.

How do Baltimore and Buffalo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Buffalo

Both cities average about the same for private school tuition.

Bottom Line

Both cities average around $18,500/year for private school. The difference shows up in school type: religious schools are much cheaper than independent prep.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Buffalo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$18,500/yr	Same
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$10,600/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$39,400/yr	-$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$15,700/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$18,500/yr	Same
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$22,200/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Buffalo

$240,500

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Buffalo breakdown →

Maryland private school costs New York private school costs

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.