Business Costs

The Research Valley is a friendly, technology-focused business environment that is energized by the awesome resources of one of the nation’s top research universities, Texas A&M.   The Research Valley provides competitive costs of doing business, and has received national recognition as one of the top US Metropolitan Areas for doing business. Job growth in high-tech and knowledge-based industries are more likely in regions with ready access to a qualified workforce. A diverse, highly educated workforce supports the Research Valley’s expanding business base. Recently, the Research Valley received a Five-Starr Knowledge Worker designation for its highly-technical workforce by Expansion Management Magazine. No state income tax means that Texans enjoy a lower cost of doing business. Per capita tax burden in Texas is lower than the US average, as well as states like New York, California, Georgia, and Michigan. Insurance premiums in Texas have been steadily decreasing, and workers’ compensation costs have dropped 50% in the past 15 years. Low business costs have resulted in big business for Texas.  In 2004 and 2005, Texas created more jobs than any other state in the U.S.   The state was recently named the “U.S. State of the Future” by Foreign Direct Investment and the “Best Business Climate” by Site Selection. And if that’s not enough, The Research Valley constantly ranks among the lowest cost of living in metropolitan areas of the US. Even with a growing economy, the area maintains its competitive cost of living compared to other cities in Texas. Our costs of living are 6% below the national average, and lower than other Texas cities like Austin and Dallas. Here, utilities are abundant and available at a lower cost than in Texas’ larger cities. The cost of living in the Research Valley is 6% lower than the national average, as well as lower than other Texas cities like Austin and Dallas. Here, utilities are abundant and available at a lower cost than in Texas’ larger cities. Research Valley Tax Rates, 2009 Real & Personal Property Tax Rates (Per $/100) College Station,TX Bryan, TX City Millage $0.4394 $0.6364 County Millage $0.4800 $0.4800 School Millage $1.25 $1.290 Effective Rate per $100 $2.17 $2.406 Construction Cost index   Residential Commercial Atlanta 88 89 Austin 79 80 Bryan/College Station 71 74 Boston 120 116 Chicago 114 116 Dallas 83 84 Denver 95 96 New York 136 132 Phoenix 86 88 Raleigh 75 77 Salt Lake City 82 88 San Francisco 122 122 United States 100 100 Source: RS Means