Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs College Station, TX (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Arlington is 123% more expensive than College Station.

$2,275/mo ↑ 95%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 49%
$140,160/yr ↑ 171%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 63%
$864,800 ↑ 165%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 62%
$2,414/mo ↑ 93%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 48%
235,463
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,107/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $13,284/year.

Median household income is $88,384/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs College Station — common questions

Is Arlington or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and College Station?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,107/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or College Station?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $88,384/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Texas?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and College Station

Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette