College Station vs Hollywood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Hollywood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.6%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $95,690 in Hollywood.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $95,690 in Hollywood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $58,784 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Hollywood
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $424,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $494/month in Hollywood. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 96 in Hollywood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $54,324 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,407/month in Hollywood. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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