Arlington vs College Station
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
College Station
The Verdict
College Station is 88.5% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $39,787 in College Station to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $39,787 in College Station.
Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $141,379 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs College Station
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $314,000. The $426,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $1,275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $442/month in College Station. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 90 in College Station. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,188/month in College Station. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 167 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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