College Station vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
Raleigh
The Verdict
Living in College Station costs 14.7% less than Raleigh. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $87,931 in Raleigh.
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 $87,931 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $63,971 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $370,000. The $56,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $475/month in Raleigh. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $65,947 respectively. Raleigh 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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