Is private school cheaper in Boston or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $20,800/year less, or $270,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $20,800/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $270,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Boston and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $20,800/year less for private school (130% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $270,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$16,000/yr	+$20,800
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$8,700
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$28,500/yr	+$27,500
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$17,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$16,000/yr	+$20,800
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$26,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $270,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $540,800.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California 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.