Is private school cheaper in Billings or Portland?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $10,500/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Billings and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Portland

Billings averages $10,500/year less for private school (136% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$18,200/yr	-$10,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$31,500/yr	-$16,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$14,800/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$18,200/yr	-$10,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$22,500/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Billings saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Montana private school costs Oregon 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.