CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs College Station, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
TX
College Station
91
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Abilene is slightly cheaper than College Station — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $80,500 in College Station. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+1.8%
Abilene
73.8
College Station
75.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
College Station
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Abilene
101.1
College Station
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Abilene
91.4
College Station
91.4
Utilities+3.9%
Abilene
81.2
College Station
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in College Station to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in College Station, TX
$80,500
$500 more needed in College Station

Formula: salary × (91 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.0066. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

College Station, TX

Median Home Price
$301,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
75.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

College Station has 1.8% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

College Station, TX

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Population
120,511
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareGovernmentResearch

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

College Station, TX
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.