Moving from Plano, TX to College Station, TX
Moving from Plano, TX to College Station, TX covers 206 mi and about 3h 45m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
206 mi Β· 3h 45m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, TX 6, US 190 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Plano | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in College Station are 11.8% below Plano 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 11.8% under Plano at $498,989 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 69.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.74 |
Median household income in College Station is 11.8% below Plano ($108,649 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 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
When is the best time to move from Plano 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 206 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is College Station more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 11.8% lower than Plano (90.951 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 206 mi and the route typically takes 3h 45m via I 35E and TX 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Plano vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $108,649 in Plano β a 52.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Plano?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $498,989 in Plano β a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· College Station, TX.