College Station vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Montgomery
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 10.1% less than College Station. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $68,103 in Montgomery.
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 $68,103 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $82,595 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $162,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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