Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $7,700/year less, or $100,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $7,700/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $100,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Buffalo and Memphis 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). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Memphis

Memphis averages $7,700/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $100,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,700
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$20,500/yr	+$18,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$8,800/yr	+$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,700
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Memphis

$140,400

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

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

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

New York private school costs Tennessee private school costs

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.