College Station vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Irving
The Verdict
College Station is 13.0% less expensive than Irving overall. A household earning $75,000 in College Station would need approximately $86,207 in Irving 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 College Station has the same purchasing power as $86,207 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $65,250 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Irving
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $318,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $470/month in Irving. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $444 in Irving. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,713/month in Irving. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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