Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Tacoma?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $6,100/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Birmingham and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Tacoma

Birmingham averages $6,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$13,700/yr	-$6,100
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$9,400/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$11,600/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$13,700/yr	-$6,100
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$16,400/yr	-$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Birmingham saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Washington 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.