Austin vs Laredo
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 31% more affordable than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Laredo, TX

COL index76 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$720/mo ✓
Median home price$160K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexLaredo indexDifference
Housing14498 ✓-46%
Groceries10473 ✓-31%
Transportation10575 ✓-30%
Healthcare10774 ✓-33%
Utilities10477 ✓-27%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Laredo

What salary in Laredo gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in LaredoDifference
$60,000$41,000$-19,000
$80,000$55,000$-25,000
$100,000$69,000$-31,000
$130,000$90,000$-40,000
$150,000$104,000$-46,000
$200,000$138,000$-62,000

Austin vs Laredo: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Laredo, TX, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 31%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $160,000 in Laredo. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $720/month in Laredo.

Austin vs Houston →Austin vs San Antonio →Austin vs Dallas →Austin vs Fort Worth →Austin vs El Paso →Austin vs Arlington →