Is private school cheaper in Boston or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $24,300/year less, or $315,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $24,300/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $315,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Boston and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Tampa

Tampa averages $24,300/year less for private school (194% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $315,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$12,500/yr	+$24,300
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$8,200/yr	+$10,300
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$23,500/yr	+$32,500
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$10,200/yr	+$19,800
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$12,500/yr	+$24,300
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$30,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $315,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $631,800.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando → Boston vs Phoenix →

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.