Private School Cost: Boston vs Houston
Houston averages $21,000/year less for private school (133% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $273,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.
Boston
MA
$36,800
avg tuition/year
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boston | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $36,800/yr | $15,800/yr | +$21,000 |
| Religious Schools | $18,500/yr | $9,200/yr | +$9,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $56,000/yr | $28,000/yr | +$28,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $30,000/yr | $13,000/yr | +$17,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $36,800/yr | $15,800/yr | +$21,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $46,000/yr | $19,500/yr | +$26,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boston
$478,400
Houston
$205,400
Choosing Houston saves $273,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $546,000.
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
Houston
St. John's School (Houston)
Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr
Kinkaid School
Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr
Related Comparisons
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.