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

Irvine

California
256
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Irvine is 181% more expensive than College Station.

$2,893/mo ↑ 148%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 60%
$129,647/yr ↑ 150%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 60%
$1,115,400 ↑ 242%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 71%
$2,904/mo ↑ 132%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 57%
308,160
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,725/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $20,700/year.

Median household income is $77,871/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs College Station — common questions

Is Irvine 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 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and College Station?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,725/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or College Station?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $77,871/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Irvine and College Station

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