Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Raleigh is $7,200/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Honolulu and Raleigh 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). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Raleigh

Raleigh averages $7,200/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$7,200
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$24,500/yr	+$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$10,600/yr	+$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$7,200
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

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

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs North Carolina private school costs

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Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.