A-
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
29%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index College Station Texas National
Cost of living10592100
Goods & Services9396100
Groceries9896100
Health care10094100
Housing12983100
Transportation8592100
Utilities103104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in College Station, TX

The cost of living in College Station affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in College Station is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in College Station aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. College Station residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the College Station cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 28.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in College Station?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 13 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in College Station. The results indicated that 15% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 85% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is College Station Affordable?

Is College Station an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in College Station is 38.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 5.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. College Station has a median household income of $47,456, which is 14.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in College Station?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In College Station, the transportation index is 14.7% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In College Station, the healthcare costs are 0% equal to the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in College Station displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in College Station is 14% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in College Station is 5% higher than the national average
  • College Station housing is 29% higher than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around College Station

See all the best places to live around College Station

Compare College Station, TX Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$100,262$8,355$2,339$3,008
      Renters$30,507$2,542$712$915
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in College Station, TX, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In College Station, the median monthly income is $100,262 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,339 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $30,507, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $712 on monthly rental expenses.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.52$24.265.2%
      Beauty Salon $67.87$45.5648.9%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.6%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.281.0%
      Movie $11.10$12.138.5%
      Bowling $23.53$18.0030.7%

      Groceries

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.70$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $11.67$12.093.5%
      Beer $10.52$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.70$125.684.0%
      Doctor $93.85$135.7830.9%
      Dentist $120.24$113.296.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.69$10.650.3%
      Lipitor $505.78$468.607.9%

      Housing

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      Home Price $256,600.00$184,700.0038.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,890.77$2,346.6919.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,001.00$949.005.5%

      Transportation

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.02$3.4612.8%
      Tire Balancing $58.88$59.921.7%

      Utilities

      Item College Station National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $190.29$193.991.9%
      Phone $211.13$192.259.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lake Bryan, TX1,2708019.6%
      Millican, TX2639010.1%
      Snook, TX554909.6%
      Bryan, TX85,645937.0%
      Kurten, TX427945.5%
      College Station, TX115,8021055.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brandon, FL115,9091043.5%
      Clearwater, FL115,9751044.1%
      West Jordan, UT115,18112020.2%
      Springfield, IL115,0758811.5%
      Fairfield, CA116,54415049.7%
      College Station, TX115,8021055.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.