Is private school cheaper in Montgomery or Riverside?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $7,500/year less, or $97,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Montgomery is $7,500/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $97,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Montgomery, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Montgomery and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Montgomery averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Montgomery vs Riverside

Montgomery averages $7,500/year less for private school (101% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $97,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Montgomery	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$7,500
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$9,700/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$15,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,300/yr	$12,700/yr	-$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$7,500
High School (9-12)	$8,900/yr	$17,900/yr	-$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Montgomery

$96,200

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Montgomery saves $97,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $195,000.

Sample Schools

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/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 Montgomery breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Alabama private school costs California private school costs

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.