Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or San Jose?

Honolulu has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Honolulu is $5,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Honolulu and San Jose 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 Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs San Jose

Honolulu averages $5,000/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Honolulu is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $12,900/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$5,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$13,800/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$40,500/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$5,000
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$31,200/yr	-$7,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Honolulu saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

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 Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.