Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or San Diego?

San Diego has lower average private school tuition at $21,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in San Diego is $5,600/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Los Angeles and San Diego 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). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs San Diego

San Diego averages $5,600/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

San Diego is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,200/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $11,500/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$21,200/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$36,500/yr	+$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$17,500/yr	+$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$21,200/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$26,000/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing San Diego saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

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

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.