Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $11,900/year less, or $154,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Riverside is $11,900/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $154,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Los Angeles and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Riverside

Riverside averages $11,900/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $154,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$14,900/yr	+$11,900
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$3,800
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$29,000/yr	+$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$12,700/yr	+$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$14,900/yr	+$11,900
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$17,900/yr	+$14,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $154,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $309,400.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Riverside 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.