Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $6,800/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Honolulu and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $6,800/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$24,500/yr	+$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$11,000/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$16,500/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.