Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or McAllen?

McAllen has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McAllen is $10,800/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $6,400/year in McAllen.

How do Honolulu and McAllen 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). McAllen averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs McAllen

McAllen averages $10,800/year less for private school (115% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

McAllen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

McAllen

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	McAllen	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$10,800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$6,400/yr	+$6,500
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$19,800/yr	+$17,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$10,800
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$11,300/yr	+$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

McAllen

$122,200

Choosing McAllen saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

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

McAllen

McAllen Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

St. Joseph Academy (McAllen)

Catholic · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full McAllen breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs Texas 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.