Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Houston?

Houston has lower average private school tuition at $15,800/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Houston is $2,700/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $9,200/year in Houston.

How do Baltimore and Houston 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). Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Houston

Houston averages $2,700/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Houston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$15,800/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$28,000/yr	+$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$15,800/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$19,500/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Houston

$205,400

Choosing Houston saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

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

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

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Houston breakdown →

Maryland private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → San Francisco vs Houston → New York vs Houston →

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.