Houston vs Laredo
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 16% more affordable than Houston.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo
Median home price$290K
VS

Laredo, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexLaredo indexDifference
Housing11898 ✓-20%
Groceries8773 ✓-14%
Transportation8875 ✓-13%
Healthcare8874 ✓-14%
Utilities8977 ✓-12%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Laredo

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in LaredoDifference
$60,000$50,000$-10,000
$80,000$67,000$-13,000
$100,000$84,000$-16,000
$130,000$109,000$-21,000
$150,000$125,000$-25,000
$200,000$167,000$-33,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Laredo, TX, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 16%.

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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $160,000 in Laredo. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $720/month in Laredo.

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