Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
College Station, TX
🏆 Carrollton leads 12 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
College Station
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,397
Violent Crime Index
45
Population
120,451
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $42,983 more per year on average
20% less violent crime than College Station
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.7%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than College Station
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
College Station, TX
Pros
Rent averages $426/mo less ($1,129 vs $1,555)
Violent crime is well below the national average (170.5 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 58.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $42,983/yr
Higher unemployment (4.7% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$42,983
$95,380 vs $52,397/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
20% lower
137.1 vs 170.5 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.7% unemployment
College Station
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
College Station
Median Home Value
$22k less
$305,800 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | College Station, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $305,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,129 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $52,397 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 16.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 48 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 45 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) | A (129) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% | 58.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 95.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | COLLEGE STATION ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F | 61.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 46.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 120,451 |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 22.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 36.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% ✓ More | 16.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 6.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs College Station's 90.7 (US average = 100).
College Station is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 12 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 12 and College Station wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carrollton to College Station or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $305,800 median home), income ($95,380 vs $52,397), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and College Station, TX are about 170 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.