Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or San Francisco?

Baltimore has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $15,700/year less, or $204,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Baltimore is $15,700/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $204,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Baltimore and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs San Francisco

Baltimore averages $15,700/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $204,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Baltimore is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $10,800/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,700
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$52,000/yr	-$18,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$28,000/yr	-$12,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$34,200/yr	-$15,700
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$42,000/yr	-$19,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Baltimore saves $204,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $408,200.

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

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Maryland private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → San Francisco vs Houston → San Francisco 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.