Moving from Pearland, TX to College Station, TX
It is a 109 mi drive, roughly 2h 9m, between Pearland, TX and College Station, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
109 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, US 290, SHT |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, League City, Sugar Land, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pearland | College Station | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 90.951 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 84.39 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 75.088 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.8% moving from Pearland 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
Homes in College Station run about 7.8% cheaper β ZHVI $382,157 β $349,041 (2026-03).
YoY change: Pearland -0.8%, College Station +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pearland | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.3" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 71.3Β°F vs 69.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON CLOVER FLD, TX US, COLLEGE STN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pearland | College Station |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 122,280 |
| Median household income | $112,470 | $51,776 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 22.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.6% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.74 |
College Station households earn about 7.8% less than Pearland at the median β $112,470 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.
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.
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.
- 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 Pearland vs College Station?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,776 in College Station vs $112,470 in Pearland β a 54.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is College Station more expensive than Pearland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in College Station is 7.8% lower than Pearland (90.951 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is College Station, TX from Pearland, TX?
The driving distance is 109 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via TX 6 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in College Station compare to Pearland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,710 in the College Station MSA vs $46,960 in the Pearland MSA, on total employment of 128,840 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in College Station compared to Pearland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $349,041 in College Station vs $382,157 in Pearland β a 8.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Pearland 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 109 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pearland.
City profiles: Pearland, TX Β· College Station, TX.