El Paso vs Laredo
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 7% more affordable than El Paso.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

El Paso, TX

COL index82
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$850/mo
Median home price$190K
VS

Laredo, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryEl Paso indexLaredo indexDifference
Housing10698 ✓-8%
Groceries7873 ✓-5%
Transportation8075 ✓-5%
Healthcare8074 ✓-6%
Utilities8277 ✓-5%

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

Salary equivalency: El Paso → Laredo

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

Salary in El PasoEquivalent in LaredoDifference
$60,000$56,000$-4,000
$80,000$74,000$-6,000
$100,000$93,000$-7,000
$130,000$120,000$-10,000
$150,000$139,000$-11,000
$200,000$185,000$-15,000

El Paso vs Laredo: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between El Paso, TX and Laredo, TX, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 82 for El Paso — a difference of approximately 7%.

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 El Paso is $190,000, compared to $160,000 in Laredo. Average 1-bedroom rent is $850/month in El Paso versus $720/month in Laredo.

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