College Station vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Little Rock
The Verdict
Little Rock is 3.6% less expensive than College Station overall. A household earning $75,000 in College Station would need approximately $72,414 in Little Rock 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 $72,414 in Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $77,679 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $170,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $447/month in Little Rock. 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 96 in College Station and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 90 in Little Rock. 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 $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $56,712 respectively. College Station residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases