Bryan vs College Station: which is better to live in?
Bryan gets D+ overall and College Station gets C. College Station comes out ahead on our index.
Bryan wins on cost of living, jobs and income, home ownership and internet access. College Station wins on schools, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels and health.
Bryan suits retirees and people on a budget better, while College Station suits young professionals better.
Side by side
| Bryan | College Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D+ | C |
| Population | 91,996 | 127,472 |
| Growth since 2020 | +9.6% | +5.8% |
| Median rent | $1,195 | $1,194 |
| Median home value | $227,800 | $346,700 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,537 | $2,375 |
| Median household income | $59,289 | $50,900 |
| Property tax per year | $3,479 | $5,730 |
| Violent crime per 100k | 287 | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | 1,130 | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 56% | 77% |
| Average commute | 19 min | 17 min |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 12% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 30% | 57% |
| Median age | 32.0 years | 22.9 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 117 | 117 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Low | Low |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Bryan | College Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | B- (60) | D+ (28) |
| Jobs and income | D (21) | D- (15) |
| Schools | C (45) | B- (60) |
| Safety | C+ (52) | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | D+ (31) | B- (61) |
| Getting around | B (72) | A+ (97) |
| Education levels | D (24) | A- (84) |
| Health | F (5) | D (21) |
| Home ownership | D (17) | F (3) |
| Internet access | D- (8) | F (2) |
Cost of living
Bryan is the cheaper of the two.
Median rent is about the same: $1,195 a month in Bryan and $1,194 in College Station.
The median home is worth $227,800 in Bryan and $346,700 in College Station. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,537 a month against $2,375, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 3.8 times income in Bryan and 6.8 times in College Station.
Commute and location
Commutes average 19 minutes in Bryan and 17 in College Station.
The two are about 6 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 56% of Bryan's 25 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 77% of College Station's 22.
Common questions
Is Bryan or College Station better to live in?
College Station grades higher overall (D+ vs C). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Bryan cheaper than College Station?
Yes. Bryan has lower typical rent and home prices.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.