Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or San Francisco?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $24,000/year less, or $312,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Clearwater over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Clearwater is $24,000/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $312,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Clearwater and San Francisco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs San Francisco

Clearwater averages $24,000/year less for private school (235% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $312,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$24,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$52,000/yr	-$30,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$28,000/yr	-$19,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$24,000
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$42,000/yr	-$29,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Clearwater saves $312,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $624,000.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Clearwater breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Florida private school costs California private school costs

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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.