Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Honolulu?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $13,800/year less, or $179,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Charleston over Honolulu?

Average tuition in Charleston is $13,800/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $179,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Charleston, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Charleston and Honolulu private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Honolulu

Charleston averages $13,800/year less for private school (216% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $179,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,400/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,800
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$12,900/yr	-$8,300
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$37,600/yr	-$24,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,400/yr	$17,200/yr	-$11,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,400/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,800
High School (9-12)	$7,700/yr	$24,200/yr	-$16,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$83,200

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Charleston saves $179,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $358,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Charleston Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Liberty Christian Academy (Charleston WV)

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Honolulu breakdown →

West Virginia private school costs Hawaii 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.