Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $6,400/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Dallas and Memphis 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). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Memphis

Memphis averages $6,400/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$6,400
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$7,200/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$10,800/yr	+$6,400
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Texas private school costs Tennessee private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → 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.