College Station ranks among the more affordable mid-sized cities in Texas. The combination of below-average housing costs, no state income tax, and reasonable daily expenses gives residents stronger purchasing power than they would have in larger Texas markets like Austin, Houston, or Dallas/Fort Worth.
| Category | College Station vs. National Average |
|---|---|
| Overall Cost of Living | Approximately 14% to 16% below national average |
| Housing | Significantly below national average |
| Groceries | Near national average |
| Utilities | Near to slightly above national average |
| Transportation | Near national average |
| Healthcare | Near national average |
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Gallon of milk | $3.50 to $4.50 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.00 to $5.00 |
| Restaurant meal (mid-range, per person) | $15 to $25 |
| Gas (per gallon) | National average |
| Monthly utilities (typical household) | $200 to $300 |
| Internet (high speed) | $60 to $90 per month |
| Gym membership | $25 to $60 per month |
The Bryan-College Station MSA produces roughly $15.8 billion in annual GDP, with Texas A&M and the Research Valley driving steady professional-class employment growth. Family households in College Station earn approximately $93,000 on average, well above the overall median that is depressed by the large student population.
College Station offers a strong housing market with prices well below the Texas statewide median and dramatically below comparable university towns in coastal states. The market includes everything from urban-style townhomes near campus to large-lot estate properties in master-planned golf communities. Inventory and pricing remain favorable to professional buyers relocating from larger metros.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Price (City) | $335,000 to $350,000 |
| Median Listing Price | Approximately $343,000 |
| Five-Year Home Appreciation | Approximately 23% |
| Average Apartment Rent | $1,772 per month |
| Two-Bedroom Rent | Approximately $1,430 per month |
| Days on Market | 32 to 82 days (recent average) |
| Market Type | Balanced, with slight seller advantage |
| From | To University Drive Clinic | To BSW Medical Center |
|---|---|---|
| Pebble Creek | 10 to 15 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Castlegate | 10 to 15 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
| The Woodlands of College Station | 5 to 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Edelweiss | 10 to 15 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Downtown Bryan | 15 to 20 minutes | 15 to 20 minutes |
Most of College Station is within a 15-minute drive of both the University Drive clinic and the Rock Prairie Road medical center. Traffic is heaviest on football game days and during weekday morning and evening commutes around campus.
College Station presents a mixed safety profile that benefits significantly from neighborhood selection. Citywide crime statistics are influenced by the dense student population around campus, where property crime concentrates. Family-oriented neighborhoods on the south and southeast sides of the city consistently rank among the safest in the region.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) | Approximately 21 to 23, slightly above national average |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 2 to 4.6, comparable to or below Texas state average |
| Property Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Approximately 19, slightly below national average |
| Chance of Violent Crime Victimization | 1 in 587, comparable to peer Texas cities |
The majority of reported crime is property crime concentrated in high-traffic, mixed-use areas near campus and along major retail corridors. Violent crime is comparatively rare and trends below national norms in most recent reporting periods.
The following residential areas have consistently low crime rates and are favored by families and physicians:
Traffic patterns center on Texas Highway 6 (Earl Rudder Freeway), University Drive, and Texas Avenue. Game-day traffic on football Saturdays adds significant congestion around Kyle Field and campus. Outside of game days and rush hour, commute times across the city are short and predictable.
