City Comparison

College Station vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

College Station

Texas
87
Below Average
$314,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$50,900
Median Income

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

5.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.4%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to $79,310 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
82
College Station
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
93
College Station
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
96
College Station
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
85
College Station
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
90
College Station
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $79,310 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $70,924 in College Station.

Living in College Station vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

College Station's housing index of 82 is lower Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $380,000. The $66,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $340 in Twin Falls. 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 94 in Twin Falls. 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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station is 5.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,310 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
College Station's housing index is 82 with median homes at $314,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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