Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Sacramento?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Sacramento?

Average tuition in Richmond is $1,500/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Richmond and Sacramento private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Sacramento

Richmond averages $1,500/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$9,800/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$28,500/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$19,800/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Richmond saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Virginia private school costs California private school costs

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.