Is private school cheaper in Billings or Boston?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $29,100/year less, or $378,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $29,100/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $378,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $18,500/year in Boston.

How do Billings and Boston 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). Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Boston

Billings averages $29,100/year less for private school (378% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $378,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Boston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$36,800/yr	-$29,100
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$13,300
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$56,000/yr	-$41,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$30,000/yr	-$23,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$36,800/yr	-$29,100
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$46,000/yr	-$36,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Boston

$478,400

Choosing Billings saves $378,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $756,600.

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

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Boston breakdown →

Montana private school costs Massachusetts private school costs

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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.