Is private school cheaper in Boston or Portland?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $18,600/year less, or $241,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Portland is $18,600/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $241,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Boston and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Portland

Portland averages $18,600/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $241,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$18,600
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$10,400/yr	+$8,100
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$31,500/yr	+$24,500
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$14,800/yr	+$15,200
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$18,600
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$22,500/yr	+$23,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Portland saves $241,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $483,600.

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Oregon private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.