salaryRent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 17.4 minutes. Most households rent (65%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 56.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,720 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 175 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in College Station?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in College Station
| Size | College Station | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,034 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,152 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,162 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,762 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,869 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is College Station overall?
Everyday prices in the College Station-Bryan metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in College Station
Life in College Station
What jobs pay in College Station
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | 11.8% |
| Lawyer | $134,800 | 12.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,210 | 12.8% |
| Software Developer | $101,910 | 15.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,260 | 16.7% |
| Operations Manager | $87,910 | 18.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,090 | 19.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $82,020 | 19.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $81,580 | 19.8% |
| Police Officer | $76,570 | 21.0% |
| Accountant | $71,810 | 22.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,620 | 26.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,020 | 26.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,870 | 27.8% |
| Plumber | $49,780 | 32.4% |
| Truck Driver | $49,540 | 32.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,530 | 33.2% |
| Electrician | $48,410 | 33.3% |
| Carpenter | $46,970 | 34.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,850 | 42.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,190 | 43.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,610 | 45.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,350 | 45.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $32,630 | 49.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,800 | 56.0% |
| Cashier | $28,600 | 56.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,800 | 70.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in College Station?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,063 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $346,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $34,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in College Station, TX?
Renting in College Station costs a median of about $1,343 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in College Station?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,720 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is College Station cheap or expensive?
College Station is rated OK: rent takes 29.4% of the typical household income of $54,896. It ranks 175th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in College Station?
The median homeowner in College Station pays $5,730 a year in property taxes, about 1.65% of the median home value.
Is College Station more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in College Station?
The median home value in College Station is $346,700, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
124,570 people live in College Station. Numbers are typical (middle) values.