Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Houston?

Houston has lower average private school tuition at $15,800/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Houston is $2,700/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $9,200/year in Houston.

How do Buffalo and Houston 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). Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Houston

Houston averages $2,700/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Houston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$15,800/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$28,000/yr	+$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$15,800/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$19,500/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Houston

$205,400

Choosing Houston saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

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

Houston

St. John's School (Houston)

Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr

Kinkaid School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Houston breakdown →

New York private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → San Francisco vs Houston → New York vs Houston →

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.