Is private school cheaper in Boston or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has lower average private school tuition at $26,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $10,000/year less, or $130,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Los Angeles is $10,000/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $130,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

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

Private School Cost: Boston vs Los Angeles

Los Angeles averages $10,000/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Los Angeles is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $26,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$26,800/yr	+$10,000
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$13,500/yr	+$5,000
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$42,000/yr	+$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$8,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$26,800/yr	+$10,000
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$32,000/yr	+$14,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Los Angeles saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.

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

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 Boston breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.