Is private school cheaper in New York City or Seattle?

Seattle has lower average private school tuition at $24,500/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $14,000/year less, or $182,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Seattle is $14,000/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $182,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do New York City and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs Seattle

Seattle averages $14,000/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Seattle is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $24,500/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $13,200/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$14,000
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$38,000/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$20,000/yr	+$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$14,000
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$30,500/yr	+$17,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Seattle saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full New York City breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

New York private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → Seattle vs Portland →

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.