Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Austin?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Austin over Dallas?

Average tuition in Austin is $1,700/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $9,400/year in Austin.

How do Dallas and Austin private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Austin

Austin averages $1,700/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Austin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$28,200/yr	+$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$12,800/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$19,200/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Austin

$201,500

Choosing Austin saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

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

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Austin breakdown →

Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Austin vs San Antonio →

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.