Moving from Laredo, TX to College Station, TX
Relocating between Laredo, TX and College Station, TX is a 332 mi drive — 5h 58m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
332 mi · 5h 58m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 27, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Laredo and College Station sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $220,331 in Laredo to $349,041 in College Station, a 4.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Laredo | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 69°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 100°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 41.8" |
Expect 5.6°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 2.74 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.6% lower in College Station than Laredo.
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
How does household income compare in Laredo vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $63,264 in Laredo — a 18.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Laredo 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 332 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 Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 332 mi and the route typically takes 5h 58m via I 35 and I 27. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $220,331 in Laredo — a 58.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is College Station more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 4.6% higher than Laredo (90.951 vs 86.956, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX · College Station, TX.