| Index | College Station | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 110 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 131 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 104 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 105 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in College Station? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in College Station stands at 110, making it 10% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in College Station are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of College Station can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
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 31.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 13 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in College Station and this is how they responded. 15% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 85% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is College Station affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take College Station, for instance, where the median home price falls 42% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 5.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with College Station flaunting a median household income of $70,609, 13.2% lower than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In College Station, the utilities index stands at 0.7% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, 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. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for College Station are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $149,994 | $12,500 | $3,500 | $4,500 |
| Renters | $45,747 | $3,812 | $1,067 | $1,373 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lake Bryan, TX | 1,299 | 84 | 15.8% |
| Millican, TX | 274 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Snook, TX | 569 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Bryan, TX | 88,156 | 97 | 3.3% |
| Kurten, TX | 440 | 98 | 1.8% |
| College Station, TX | 118,537 | 110 | 9.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Westminster, CO | 118,461 | 131 | 31.1% |
| Waterloo, ON | 118,234 | n/a | |
| The Woodlands, TX | 118,070 | 127 | 26.9% |
| Terrebonne, QC | 119,135 | n/a | |
| West Jordan, UT | 117,770 | 121 | 20.6% |
| College Station, TX | 118,537 | 110 | 9.6% |
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