Moving from Brownsville, TX to College Station, TX
It is a 391 mi drive, roughly 7h 41m, between Brownsville, TX and College Station, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
391 mi · 7h 41m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 69E, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $195,993 to $349,041 moving to College Station.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brownsville | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | — | 41.8" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0°F moving to College Station per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.74 |
Households in College Station earn about 5.8% more at the median — 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 20–30% 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 95°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 Brownsville to College Station?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $195,993 in Brownsville — a 78.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $48,675 in Brownsville — a 6.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is College Station more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 5.8% higher than Brownsville (90.951 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 391 mi and the route typically takes 7h 41m via US 77 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX · College Station, TX.