Is private school cheaper in San Francisco or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $20,500/year less, or $266,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $20,500/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $266,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,000/year in San Francisco, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

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

Private School Cost: San Francisco vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $20,500/year less for private school (150% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $266,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Francisco	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$34,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$20,500
Religious Schools	$16,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$52,000/yr	$29,400/yr	+$22,600
Elementary (K-5)	$28,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$16,400
Middle School (6-8)	$34,200/yr	$13,700/yr	+$20,500
High School (9-12)	$42,000/yr	$16,400/yr	+$25,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Francisco

$444,600

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $266,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $533,000.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full San Francisco breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

California private school costs Washington 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.