Is private school cheaper in Portland or San Francisco?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $16,000/year less, or $208,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Portland over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Portland is $16,000/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $208,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Portland and San Francisco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs San Francisco

Portland averages $16,000/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $208,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$16,000
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$16,000/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$52,000/yr	-$20,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$28,000/yr	-$13,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$34,200/yr	-$16,000
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$42,000/yr	-$19,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Portland saves $208,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $416,000.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Oregon private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Seattle vs Portland → San Francisco 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.