Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $20,800/year less, or $270,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Phoenix over San Francisco?

Average tuition in Phoenix is $20,800/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $270,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do San Francisco and Phoenix private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $20,800/year less for private school (155% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $270,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$20,800
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$7,400
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$27,500
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$17,000
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$20,800
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$16,500/yr	+$25,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $270,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $540,800.

Sample Schools

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → San Francisco vs San Jose → Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Houston →

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.