Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Portland?

Charlotte has lower average private school tuition at $13,500/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Charlotte over Portland?

Average tuition in Charlotte is $4,700/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Charlotte and Portland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Portland

Charlotte averages $4,700/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Charlotte is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$18,200/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$31,500/yr	-$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$14,800/yr	-$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$18,200/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$22,500/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Charlotte saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Charlotte breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Oregon private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte → Seattle vs Portland →

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.