Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Houston?

Houston has lower average private school tuition at $15,800/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Houston is $1,400/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $9,200/year in Houston.

How do Dallas and Houston 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). Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Houston

Houston averages $1,400/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Houston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$15,800/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$28,000/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$15,800/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$19,500/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Houston

$205,400

Choosing Houston saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Houston

St. John's School (Houston)

Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr

Kinkaid School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Houston breakdown →

Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.