Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Seattle?

Seattle has lower average private school tuition at $24,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Seattle is $2,300/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Los Angeles and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Seattle

Seattle averages $2,300/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Seattle is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $24,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $13,200/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$24,500/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$38,000/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$20,000/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$24,500/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$30,500/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Seattle saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

California private school costs Washington 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.