Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Los Angeles?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $14,000/year less, or $182,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Kansas City is $14,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $182,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

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

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

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Los Angeles

Kansas City averages $14,000/year less for private school (109% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$26,800/yr	-$14,000
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$13,500/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$42,000/yr	-$18,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$26,800/yr	-$14,000
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$32,000/yr	-$16,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Kansas City saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.

Sample Schools

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Kansas City breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Missouri 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.