Is private school cheaper in Salem or Tacoma?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $1,300/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Salem, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Salem and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Salem vs Tacoma

Salem averages $1,300/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salem	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$29,400/yr	-$4,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,500/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,400/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$14,900/yr	$16,400/yr	-$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salem

$161,200

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Salem saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Salem breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Oregon 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.