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

College Station

Texas
91
VS

Fairfield

California
167

College Station is 46% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,168/mo ↓ 47%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 88%
$51,776/yr ↓ 49%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 98%
$326,500 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 81%
$1,251/mo ↓ 44%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 78%
122,280
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing College Station, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,023/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $12,276/year.

Median household income is $50,545/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in College Station is $326,500 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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 Fairfield — common questions

Is College Station or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, College Station is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between College Station and Fairfield?
Median rent in College Station is $1,168/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,023/month.
Which city has higher income, College Station or Fairfield?
Median household income is $51,776 in College Station and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $50,545/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. College Station has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,168/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View College Station details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

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