Is private school cheaper in Houston or Los Angeles?

Houston has lower average private school tuition at $15,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $11,000/year less, or $143,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Houston over Los Angeles?

Average tuition in Houston is $11,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $143,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Houston, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Houston and Los Angeles private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Houston averages $15,800/year ($3,450 above average). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Houston vs Los Angeles

Houston averages $11,000/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $143,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Houston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Houston	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,800/yr	$26,800/yr	-$11,000
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$13,500/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$28,000/yr	$42,000/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$22,000/yr	-$9,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,800/yr	$26,800/yr	-$11,000
High School (9-12)	$19,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Houston

$205,400

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Houston saves $143,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $286,000.

Sample Schools

Houston

St. John's School (Houston)

Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr

Kinkaid School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Houston breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Texas private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.