Is private school cheaper in Billings or Salinas?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $8,800/year less than Salinas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $10,700/year in Salinas.

How do Billings and Salinas 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). Salinas averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Salinas

Billings averages $8,800/year less for private school (114% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Salinas

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Salinas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,800
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$10,700/yr	-$5,500
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$32,000/yr	-$17,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$14,000/yr	-$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,800
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$19,800/yr	-$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Salinas

$214,500

Choosing Billings saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

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

Salinas

Notre Dame School (Salinas)

Catholic · K–8 · $12,600/yr

Salinas Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Salinas breakdown →

Montana private school costs California 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.