Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Seattle?

Honolulu has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Honolulu is $4,300/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Honolulu and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Seattle

Honolulu averages $4,300/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Honolulu is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $12,900/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$13,200/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$38,000/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$20,000/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$30,500/yr	-$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Honolulu saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.