Is private school cheaper in Boise or Los Angeles?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $18,800/year less, or $244,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $18,800/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $244,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Boise and Los Angeles 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). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Los Angeles

Boise averages $18,800/year less for private school (235% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $244,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$26,800/yr	-$18,800
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$13,500/yr	-$8,000
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$26,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$15,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$26,800/yr	-$18,800
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$22,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Boise saves $244,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $488,800.

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

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Boise breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Idaho private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.