Moving from College Station, TX to Brownsville, TX
It is a 391 mi drive, roughly 7h 41m, between College Station, TX and Brownsville, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
391 mi · 7h 41m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 69E, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.5% cheaper overall in Brownsville than College Station on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 51°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | — |
Annual temperature rises 5.0°F moving to Brownsville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 3.21 |
Households in Brownsville earn about 5.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92°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 far is Brownsville, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 391 mi and the route typically takes 7h 41m via US 77 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $51,776 in College Station — a 6.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $349,041 in College Station — a 43.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Brownsville more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 5.5% lower than College Station (85.975 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 391 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · Brownsville, TX.