Cost of Living in College Station, TX

With a cost of living index of 94, College Station, TX is slightly more affordable than average. Living here is 6% cheaper than the national average and 7% above the Texas state average of 88. As a major city with a population of 122,280, College Station offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in College Station's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,168 (11% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $326,500 (7% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in College Station is $51,776, which is 31% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the College Station-Bryan, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.