College Station, TX vs Waco, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waco is 15.4% cheaper than College Station. With a cost index of 82 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Waco to College Station should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in College Station is $1,168/month compared to $1,098/month in Waco — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waco is more affordable at $199,600 median vs $326,500.

Median household income in College Station is $51,776 compared to $51,468 in Waco (+0.6%). College Station does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of College Station spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Waco.