Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Los Angeles averages $7,400/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Los Angeles is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $26,800/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.
Los Angeles
CA
$26,800
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $26,800/yr | $34,200/yr | -$7,400 |
| Religious Schools | $13,500/yr | $16,000/yr | -$2,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $42,000/yr | $52,000/yr | -$10,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $22,000/yr | $28,000/yr | -$6,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $26,800/yr | $34,200/yr | -$7,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $32,000/yr | $42,000/yr | -$10,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Los Angeles
$348,400
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Los Angeles saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.
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
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr
Related Comparisons
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.