Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Los Angeles
Des Moines averages $19,900/year less for private school (288% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $258,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.
Des Moines
IA
$6,900
avg tuition/year
Los Angeles
CA
$26,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Des Moines | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,900/yr | $26,800/yr | -$19,900 |
| Religious Schools | $4,800/yr | $13,500/yr | -$8,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $14,400/yr | $42,000/yr | -$27,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,900/yr | $22,000/yr | -$16,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,900/yr | $26,800/yr | -$19,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $8,300/yr | $32,000/yr | -$23,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Des Moines
$89,700
Los Angeles
$348,400
Choosing Des Moines saves $258,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $517,400.
Sample Schools
Des Moines
Dowling Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr
Des Moines Christian School
Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr
Los Angeles
Harvard-Westlake School
Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr
Marlborough School
Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr
St. Monica Catholic School
Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.