Cost of Living: Tempe, AZ vs College Station, TX (2026)

Tempe

Arizona
120
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Tempe is 32% more expensive than College Station.

$1,623/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 28%
$77,643/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 33%
$421,900 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$326,500 ↓ 23%
$1,554/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ↓ 19%
186,419
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tempe, AZ and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 120 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $455/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $5,460/year.

Median household income is $25,867/year higher in Tempe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tempe is $421,900 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tempe vs College Station — common questions

Is Tempe 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 120 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tempe and College Station?
Median rent in Tempe is $1,623/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $455/month.
Which city has higher income, Tempe or College Station?
Median household income is $77,643 in Tempe and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $25,867/year higher in Tempe.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Tempe or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Tempe has a cost index of 120 with median rent of $1,623/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 Tempe details → View College Station details →

More Comparisons

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