Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Washington DC?

Los Angeles has lower average private school tuition at $26,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Los Angeles is $1,600/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Los Angeles and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Washington DC

Los Angeles averages $1,600/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Los Angeles is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $26,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$15,200/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Los Angeles saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia 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.