Is private school cheaper in Boise or Honolulu?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $12,200/year less, or $158,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $12,200/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $158,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Boise and Honolulu private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Honolulu

Boise averages $12,200/year less for private school (153% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $158,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,200
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$12,900/yr	-$7,400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$37,600/yr	-$22,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$17,200/yr	-$10,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$24,200/yr	-$14,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Boise saves $158,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $317,200.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Boise breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

Idaho 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.