Moving from Austin, TX to College Station, TX
Moving from Austin, TX to College Station, TX covers 108 mi and about 2h 9m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
108 mi · 2h 9m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 21, US 290, TX 47 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
College Station is 7.3% cheaper than Austin overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in College Station is 7.3% below Austin — $508,530 vs $349,041 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Austin (70.0°F) and College Station (69.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.74 |
Median household income in College Station is 7.3% below Austin ($91,461 vs $51,776, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in College Station MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,920 | $37,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,880 | $27,430 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,280 | $63,400 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,460 | $76,630 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,930 | $31,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in College Station average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $508,530 in Austin — a 31.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is College Station, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 108 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via TX 21 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is College Station more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 7.3% lower than Austin (90.951 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Austin vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $91,461 in Austin — a 43.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 108 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · College Station, TX.