Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Montgomery?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Montgomery over Chesapeake?

Average tuition in Montgomery is $6,900/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $5,500/year in Montgomery.

How do Chesapeake and Montgomery private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Montgomery averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Montgomery

Montgomery averages $6,900/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Montgomery	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$6,900
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$5,500/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$15,100/yr	+$13,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$6,300/yr	+$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$6,900
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$8,900/yr	+$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Montgomery

$96,200

Choosing Montgomery saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Chesapeake breakdown → Full Montgomery breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Alabama 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.