Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Knoxville over Honolulu?

Average tuition in Knoxville is $10,100/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

How do Honolulu and Knoxville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $10,100/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$10,100
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,800
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$21,400/yr	+$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$8,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$10,100
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$12,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

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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.