Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Chicago?

Chicago has lower average private school tuition at $18,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Chicago over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Chicago is $100/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $10,200/year in Chicago.

How do Buffalo and Chicago private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Chicago

Chicago averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Chicago is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Chicago	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$18,400/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$10,200/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$32,000/yr	+$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$15,000/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$18,400/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$22,800/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Chicago saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Chicago breakdown →

New York private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus → Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.