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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Santa Clara is 237% more expensive than College Station.

$2,985/mo ↑ 156%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 61%
$173,670/yr ↑ 235%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 70%
$1,527,900 ↑ 368%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 79%
$3,051/mo ↑ 144%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 59%
129,239
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,817/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $21,804/year.

Median household income is $121,894/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 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

Santa Clara vs College Station — common questions

Is Santa Clara 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 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and College Station?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,817/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or College Station?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $121,894/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

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