Is private school cheaper in New York City or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $25,100/year less, or $326,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Phoenix over New York City?

Average tuition in Phoenix is $25,100/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $326,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do New York City and Phoenix private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $25,100/year less for private school (187% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $326,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$25,100
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$8,900
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$33,500
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$21,000
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$25,100
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$16,500/yr	+$31,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $326,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $652,600.

Sample Schools

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full New York City breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

New York private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → Denver vs Phoenix →

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.