Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $5,100/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Buffalo and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $5,100/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$24,500/yr	+$14,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$11,000/yr	+$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$16,500/yr	+$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

New York private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles 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.