College Station vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Midland
The Verdict
Living in College Station costs 5.4% less than Midland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $79,310 in Midland.
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 $79,310 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $70,924 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Midland
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $269,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $456/month in Midland. 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 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 110 in Midland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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