Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Seattle?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $8,500/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $13,200/year in Seattle.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Seattle

Sacramento averages $8,500/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$24,500/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$38,000/yr	-$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$20,000/yr	-$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$24,500/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$30,500/yr	-$10,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Sacramento saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

Sample Schools

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

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 Sacramento breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

California private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.