Moving from College Station, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from College Station, TX to Austin, 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
| College Station | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin is 7.8% higher than College Station, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 7.8% above College Station — $349,041 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperatures in College Station (69.4°F) and Austin (70.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 7.8% above College Station ($51,776 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin average 97°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 Austin compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $349,041 in College Station — a 45.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Austin?
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.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $51,776 in College Station — a 76.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Austin compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 7.8% higher than College Station (98.066 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Austin, TX from College Station, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · Austin, TX.