Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Phoenix?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix over Los Angeles?

Average tuition in Phoenix 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: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Los Angeles and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Phoenix

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

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$13,400
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,900
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$17,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$11,000
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$13,400
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$16,500/yr	+$15,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Phoenix

$174,200

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

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona 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.