Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $19,000/year less, or $247,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $19,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $247,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $5,300/year in Meridian.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Meridian

Meridian averages $19,000/year less for private school (244% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $247,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$19,000
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$5,300/yr	+$8,200
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$15,100/yr	+$26,900
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$6,600/yr	+$15,400
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$19,000
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$22,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Meridian saves $247,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $494,000.

Sample Schools

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

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

California private school costs Idaho 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.