Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Honolulu?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $12,600/year less, or $163,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $12,600/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $163,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Birmingham and Honolulu 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). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Honolulu

Birmingham averages $12,600/year less for private school (166% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $163,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,600
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$12,900/yr	-$7,200
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$37,600/yr	-$22,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$17,200/yr	-$10,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,600
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$24,200/yr	-$15,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Birmingham saves $163,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $327,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Hawaii 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.