Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Los Angeles?

Lakewood has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $13,400/year less, or $174,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakewood is $13,400/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $174,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Los Angeles

Lakewood averages $13,400/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $174,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakewood is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$26,800/yr	-$13,400
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$13,500/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$26,800/yr	-$13,400
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$32,000/yr	-$15,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Lakewood saves $174,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $348,400.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Lakewood breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Colorado 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.