2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

College Station

Texas (TX)

Best for: Students, researchers and university employees who want a highly education-centered community

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability77.4/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population127,472

Median Home$346,700

Median Rent$1,194

Median Household Income$50,900

Cost of LivingRPP 91.0 (US=100; BEA 2024)

Average Commute17.5 min

Unemployment3.6% (BLS 2024 annual avg)

Metro AreaCollege Station-Bryan, TX

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

77.4overall

Housing & Financial Reality49.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living94.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability86.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity85.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness77.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion66.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Typical commutes are relatively short, with congestion concentrated on peak periods and major corridors.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.

WalkabilityAbout 34/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.

Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

College Station is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #228 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are texas a&m; research; low unemployment; short commutes; strong community identity. The clearest tradeoffs are student-driven housing market; heat; limited big-city culture; car dependence. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

College Station feels shaped by texas a&m and its broader brazos valley / central texas setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS