College Station vs St Cloud
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
College Station
St Cloud
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $77,586 in St Cloud.
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 $77,586 in St Cloud.
Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $72,500 in College Station.
Living in College Station vs St Cloud
Housing Costs
College Station's housing index of 82 is equal to St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $250,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 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 St Cloud, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $480/month in St Cloud. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in College Station and 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 100 in St Cloud. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud 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 St Cloud. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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