Is private school cheaper in Houston or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $2,400/year less than Houston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Houston, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Houston and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Houston vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $2,400/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Houston

$15,800

avg tuition/year

$3,450 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Houston	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$28,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$19,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Houston

$205,400

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Houston breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Texas private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Houston vs Austin → Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Houston →

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.