Is private school cheaper in Portland or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $4,500/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Portland and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $4,500/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$29,400/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$11,600/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$16,400/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.