Arlington vs College Station

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $67,969 in College Station.

Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $82,759 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs College Station

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $314,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $442/month in College Station. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 90 in College Station. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $58,506 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,188/month in College Station. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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