Cost of Living in College Station, TX
Population 122,280 · Texas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Younger and more credentialed than the state overall — median age 23, 29% with a bachelor's — College Station has the labor and housing dynamics of a university town. Demand for rentals peaks sharply around fall enrollment. A poverty rate near 29% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in College Station
The median home value in College Station is $326,500 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,168/month, 11% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,776/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 79.8°F and lows of 59.0°F. Overall, College Station has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 62 | 66 | 73 | 79 | 86 | 92 | 95 | 97 | 91 | 82 | 71 | 63 |
| Low °F | 41 | 45 | 52 | 58 | 66 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 43 |
| Precip" | 3.43 | 2.90 | 3.41 | 2.87 | 4.60 | 4.01 | 1.98 | 3.10 | 3.50 | 4.93 | 3.31 | 3.71 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in College Station, TX?
College Station has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.
What is average rent in College Station, TX?
The median gross rent in College Station is $1,168 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in College Station?
The median home value in College Station is $326,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in College Station?
The median household income in College Station is $51,776 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in College Station, TX?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in College Station is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.
Is College Station, TX affordable?
College Station is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in College Station?
College Station has average high temperatures of 79.8°F and average lows of 59.0°F. Annual precipitation is 41.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
College Station at a Glance
- Population
- 122,280
- Median Income
- $51,776
- Home Value
- $326,500
- Median Rent
- $1,168/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Avg High Temp
- 79.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.2%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Texas Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs