Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $14,300/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Hartford and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $14,300/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$13,700/yr	+$14,300
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,400
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$29,400/yr	+$15,100
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$11,600/yr	+$11,200
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$13,700/yr	+$14,300
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$16,400/yr	+$18,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs Washington private school costs

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.