Is private school cheaper in Montgomery or Salinas?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Montgomery is $9,100/year less than Salinas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Montgomery, $10,700/year in Salinas.

How do Montgomery and Salinas 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). Salinas averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Montgomery vs Salinas

Montgomery averages $9,100/year less for private school (123% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Salinas

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Montgomery	Salinas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,400/yr	$16,500/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$10,700/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$15,100/yr	$32,000/yr	-$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,300/yr	$14,000/yr	-$7,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,400/yr	$16,500/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$8,900/yr	$19,800/yr	-$10,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Montgomery

$96,200

Salinas

$214,500

Choosing Montgomery saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

Sample Schools

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Salinas

Notre Dame School (Salinas)

Catholic · K–8 · $12,600/yr

Salinas Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

Full Montgomery breakdown → Full Salinas 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.