Moving from Houston, TX to College Station, TX
The 87 mi from Houston to College Station translate to about 1h 46m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
87 mi Β· 1h 46m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 249 TOLL, TX 6, TX 249 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in College Station are 7.8% below Houston β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: College Station typical home at $349,041 is 7.8% above Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.6Β°F vs 69.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.74 |
Income steps down 7.8%: $62,894 in Houston vs $51,776 in College Station.
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 20β30% 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 95Β°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
Is College Station more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 7.8% lower than Houston (90.951 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Houston vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $62,894 in Houston β a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 87 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is College Station, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 87 mi and the route typically takes 1h 46m via TX 249 TOLL and TX 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $264,336 in Houston β a 32.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· College Station, TX.