Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $2,300/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

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

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $2,300/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$13,700/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$13,700/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$16,400/yr	+$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Sacramento breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

California private school costs Washington 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.