Moving from Carrollton, TX to College Station, TX

Moving from Carrollton, TX to College Station, TX covers 202 mi and about 3h 40m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

202 mi · 3h 40m by car · TX

COL -11.8% Home values -14.0% Δ +3.6°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
202 mi
Drive time
3h 40m
States
1
Fuel (25 mpg)
8 gal
Route throughTX
Primary highwaysI 35E, TX 6, US 190
Major cities en routePlano, Frisco, Mckinney, Denton, Lewisville

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

CarrolltonCollege StationU.S. avg
All items (RPP)103.0990.951100.0
Rents90.71184.39100.0
Goods102.83893.757100.0
Services117.87475.088100.0

College Station is 11.8% cheaper than Carrollton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Carrollton — typical home
$406,040
College Station — typical home
$349,041
Carrollton — typical rent
$1,521/mo
College Station — typical rent
$1,696/mo

Typical home value in College Station is 11.8% below Carrollton ($349,041 vs $406,040 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).

YoY change: Carrollton -4.6%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsCarrolltonCollege Station
Annual avg temperature66°F69°F
January avg low36°F41°F
July avg high94°F95°F
Annual snowfall
Annual precipitation41.9"41.8"

Annual average temperatures in Carrollton (65.8°F) and College Station (69.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023CarrolltonCollege Station
Population132,741122,280
Median household income$99,115$51,776
Median age38.422.9
Bachelor's degree or higher29.1%29.5%
Avg household size2.62.74

Median household income in College Station is 11.8% below Carrollton ($99,115 vs $51,776, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Carrollton MSA — median wage
$48,440
College Station MSA — median wage
$42,710
Carrollton MSA — employment
3,966,500
College Station MSA — employment
128,840

Top occupations in College Station MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

How does household income compare in Carrollton vs College Station?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $99,115 in Carrollton — a 47.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in College Station compare to Carrollton?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $48,440 in the Carrollton 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.

How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Carrollton?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $406,040 in Carrollton — a 14.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is College Station more expensive than Carrollton?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 11.8% lower than Carrollton (90.951 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Carrollton 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 202 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How far is College Station, TX from Carrollton, TX?

The driving distance is 202 mi and the route typically takes 3h 40m via I 35E and TX 6. 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 Carrollton.

City profiles: Carrollton, TX · College Station, TX.

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