College Station vs Mesa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Mesa
The Verdict
Living in College Station costs 12.1% less than Mesa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $85,345 in Mesa.
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 $85,345 in Mesa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Mesa equals $65,909 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Mesa
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Mesa's 98, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $350,000. The $36,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,340 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 Mesa, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 99 in Mesa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $470/month in Mesa. 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 96 in Mesa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $384 in Mesa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 95 in Mesa. 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 $60,234 in Mesa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $60,842 respectively. Mesa 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 $1,405/month in Mesa. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Mesa, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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