Is private school cheaper in New Haven or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tacoma over New Haven?

Average tuition in Tacoma is $8,700/year less than New Haven. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in New Haven, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do New Haven and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New Haven averages $22,400/year ($10,050 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: New Haven vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $8,700/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

New Haven

$22,400

avg tuition/year

$10,050 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Haven	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,400/yr	$13,700/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$44,600/yr	$29,400/yr	+$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$19,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$22,400/yr	$13,700/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$26,900/yr	$16,400/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Haven

$291,200

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

New Haven

Hopkins School (New Haven)

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

Sacred Heart Academy (Hamden)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full New Haven breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs Washington 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.