Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Stamford?

Stamford has lower average private school tuition at $29,900/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Stamford is $4,300/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $16,500/year in Stamford.

How do San Francisco and Stamford 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). Stamford averages $29,900/year ($17,550 above average).

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Stamford

Stamford averages $4,300/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Stamford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $29,900/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $16,000/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Stamford

$29,900

avg tuition/year

$17,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Stamford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$29,900/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$16,500/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$59,500/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$25,400/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$29,900/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$35,900/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Stamford

$388,700

Choosing Stamford saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Stamford

King School (Stamford)

Independent · PK–12 · $47,800/yr

Bi-Cultural Day School

Independent (Jewish) · K–8 · $26,400/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Stamford breakdown →

California private school costs Connecticut private school costs

Related Comparisons

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

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.