Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $15,000/year less, or $195,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $15,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $195,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Los Angeles and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $15,000/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $195,000 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$15,000
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$5,900
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$12,400
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$15,000
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$17,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $195,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $390,000.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

California private school costs Louisiana 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.