Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $3,500/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Dallas and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $3,500/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/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

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$29,400/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$16,400/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Texas private school costs Washington 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.