Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Palmdale?

Palmdale has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $17,100/year less, or $222,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Palmdale over Cambridge?

Average tuition in Palmdale is $17,100/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $222,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Cambridge and Palmdale private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Palmdale

Palmdale averages $17,100/year less for private school (115% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $222,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Palmdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$17,100
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$9,700/yr	+$7,600
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$29,000/yr	+$36,000
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$12,700/yr	+$14,500
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$17,100
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$17,900/yr	+$20,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Palmdale saves $222,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $444,600.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California 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.