Cost of Living: College Station, TX vs Costa Mesa, CA (2026)

College Station

Texas
91
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

College Station is 60% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,168/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 105%
$51,776/yr ↓ 53%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 113%
$326,500 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 223%
$1,251/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 97%
122,280
Population
110,538

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing College Station, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,227/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $14,724/year.

Median household income is $58,297/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in College Station is $326,500 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is College Station or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between College Station and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in College Station is $1,168/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,227/month.
Which city has higher income, College Station or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $51,776 in College Station and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $58,297/year higher in Costa Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to College Station or Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. College Station has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,168/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View College Station details → View Costa Mesa details →

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