Is private school cheaper in Boston or Orange County?

Orange County has lower average private school tuition at $20,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $16,000/year less, or $208,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orange County is $16,000/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $208,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Boston and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Orange County

Orange County averages $16,000/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $208,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$20,800/yr	+$16,000
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$34,800/yr	+$21,200
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$17,000/yr	+$13,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$20,800/yr	+$16,000
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$25,500/yr	+$20,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Orange County saves $208,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $416,000.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California 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.