Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Buffalo?

Buffalo has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Buffalo is $100/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $10,600/year in Buffalo.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Buffalo

Buffalo averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Buffalo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Buffalo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$18,500/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$39,400/yr	+$300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$15,700/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$18,500/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$22,200/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Buffalo

$240,500

Choosing Buffalo saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Buffalo breakdown →

Washington 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.