Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or New York City?

Los Angeles has lower average private school tuition at $26,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $11,700/year less, or $152,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Los Angeles is $11,700/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $152,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Los Angeles and New York City 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 York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs New York City

Los Angeles averages $11,700/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $152,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Los Angeles is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $26,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$38,500/yr	-$11,700
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$17,500/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$58,000/yr	-$16,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$32,000/yr	-$10,000
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$38,500/yr	-$11,700
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$48,000/yr	-$16,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Los Angeles saves $152,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $304,200.

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 York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

California private school costs New York 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.