Is private school cheaper in New York City or Tucson?

Tucson has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $27,700/year less, or $360,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tucson is $27,700/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $360,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do New York City and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs Tucson

Tucson averages $27,700/year less for private school (256% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $360,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tucson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$27,700
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$7,200/yr	+$10,300
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$37,500
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$23,200
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$27,700
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$34,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Tucson saves $360,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $720,200.

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

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full New York City breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

New York private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → New York vs Houston →

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.