Texas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in College Station, TX

The median household in College Station, TX earns $50,900 a year ($4,242/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,186/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $47,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$50,900$4,242 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,186HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.0-9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential TX
Census Population124,570Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in College Station, TX

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,186Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$47,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,273At 30% of $50,900
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: College Station, TX

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for College Station-Bryan, TX MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for College Station, TX
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,025$12,300$41,00024.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,082$12,984$43,28025.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,186$14,232$47,44028%
3-Bedroom Home$1,649$19,788$65,96038.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,928$23,136$77,12045.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for College Station, TX →

50/30/20 Living Budget in College Station, TX

Based on the local median household income of $50,900/year ($4,242/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,121/moRent ($1,186 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,273/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$848/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Texas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$50,900
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,900
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,078After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,590Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,657Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,928 / yr
Texas state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,894 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Texas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in College Station, TX

What is the median household income in College Station, TX?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in College Station, TX is $50,900 per year (approximately $4,242 per month).

What is the average rent in College Station, TX?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in College Station, TX are $1,025 for a studio, $1,082 for 1 bedroom, $1,186 for 2 bedrooms, $1,649 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,928 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in College Station, TX compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in College Station, TX is 91.0 (9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in College Station, TX?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,186/month) in College Station, TX requires a minimum gross household income of $47,440 per year ($3,953 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in College Station, TX?

For a typical household earning the median income of $50,900/year ($4,242/month) in College Station, TX, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,121/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,273/month to discretionary spending, and $848/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in College Station, TX?

Residential electricity rates in Texas average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.