Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Orange County?

Orange County has lower average private school tuition at $20,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orange County is $6,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Los Angeles and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Orange County

Orange County averages $6,000/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$20,800/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$34,800/yr	+$7,200
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$17,000/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$20,800/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$25,500/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Orange County saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

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.