Private School Cost: Houston vs Orlando
Orlando averages $4,800/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Orlando is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,000/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Orlando
FL
$11,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Houston | Orlando | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,800/yr | $11,000/yr | +$4,800 |
| Religious Schools | $9,200/yr | $7,600/yr | +$1,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,000/yr | $22,600/yr | +$5,400 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $13,000/yr | $9,400/yr | +$3,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,800/yr | $11,000/yr | +$4,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,500/yr | $13,200/yr | +$6,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Houston
$205,400
Orlando
$143,000
Choosing Orlando saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.
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
Orlando
The First Academy (Orlando)
Christian · PK–12 · $16,800/yr
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Independent · PK–12 · $23,400/yr
Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.