Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or San Bernardino?

San Bernardino has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Bernardino is $6,400/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $9,000/year in San Bernardino.

How do Honolulu and San Bernardino 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). San Bernardino averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs San Bernardino

San Bernardino averages $6,400/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

San Bernardino is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

San Bernardino

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	San Bernardino	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$6,400
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$9,000/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$26,800/yr	+$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$6,400
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$16,600/yr	+$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

San Bernardino

$179,400

Choosing San Bernardino saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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

San Bernardino

Our Lady of the Assumption School

Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

San Bernardino Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full San Bernardino 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.