Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Clearwater?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $2,600/year less than Clearwater. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $7,100/year in Clearwater.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average). Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Clearwater

Birmingham averages $2,600/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Clearwater	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,600
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$5,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$8,700/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,600
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Clearwater

$132,600

Choosing Birmingham saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Clearwater breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Florida 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.