Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $12,300/year less, or $159,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $12,300/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $159,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Los Angeles and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Richmond

Richmond averages $12,300/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $159,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$12,300
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$27,000/yr	+$15,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$10,200
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$12,300
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$14,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $159,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $319,800.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

California private school costs Virginia 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.