Private School Cost: Boston vs San Francisco
San Francisco averages $2,600/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.
Bottom Line
San Francisco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $34,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $16,000/year on the low end.
Boston
MA
$36,800
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boston | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $36,800/yr | $34,200/yr | +$2,600 |
| Religious Schools | $18,500/yr | $16,000/yr | +$2,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $56,000/yr | $52,000/yr | +$4,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $30,000/yr | $28,000/yr | +$2,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $36,800/yr | $34,200/yr | +$2,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $46,000/yr | $42,000/yr | +$4,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boston
$478,400
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing San Francisco saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.
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
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/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.