Moving from Boulder, CO to College Station, TX
It is 954 mi between Boulder and College Station β roughly 17h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
954 mi Β· 17h 31m by car Β· TX β OK β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, US 81, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Waco, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.5% moving from Boulder to College Station β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $964,531 in Boulder to $349,041 in College Station, a 13.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 41.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.9Β°F β 51.5Β°F in Boulder vs 69.4Β°F in College Station, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.74 |
College Station households earn about 13.5% less than Boulder at the median β $85,364 β $51,776 on ACS 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.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 954 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 63.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is College Station more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 13.5% lower than Boulder (90.951 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 954 mi and the route typically takes 17h 31m via US 287 and US 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 194,440 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· College Station, TX.