Is private school cheaper in Boston or Clearwater?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $26,600/year less, or $345,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $26,600/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $345,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,100/year in Clearwater.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Clearwater

Clearwater averages $26,600/year less for private school (261% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $345,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Clearwater	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$10,200/yr	+$26,600
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$11,400
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$34,900
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$8,700/yr	+$21,300
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$10,200/yr	+$26,600
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$12,200/yr	+$33,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Clearwater

$132,600

Choosing Clearwater saves $345,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $691,600.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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 Boston breakdown → Full Clearwater breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Florida private school costs

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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.