Is private school cheaper in Billings or Birmingham?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Birmingham over Billings?

Average tuition in Birmingham is $100/year less than Billings. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $5,700/year in Birmingham.

How do Billings and Birmingham private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Billings averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average). Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Birmingham

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

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Birmingham	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$7,600/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$5,700/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$15,500/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,500/yr	Same
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$7,600/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$9,100/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Birmingham

$98,800

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

Sample Schools

Billings

Billings Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Eagle Mount Academy (Billings)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Birmingham breakdown →

Montana private school costs Alabama 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.