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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Sunnyvale is 275% more expensive than College Station.

$3,065/mo ↑ 162%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 62%
$181,862/yr ↑ 251%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 72%
$1,816,600 ↑ 456%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 82%
$3,016/mo ↑ 141%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 59%
153,455
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,897/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $22,764/year.

Median household income is $130,086/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 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

Sunnyvale vs College Station — common questions

Is Sunnyvale 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 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and College Station?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $1,897/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or College Station?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $130,086/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/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 Sunnyvale details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Sunnyvale and College Station

Sunnyvale vs. Springfield Sunnyvale vs. Hollywood Sunnyvale vs. Kansas City Sunnyvale vs. Roseville Sunnyvale vs. Killeen Sunnyvale vs. Charleston College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette