Laredo vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 45% less expensive than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Laredo, TX

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLaredo indexAustin indexDifference
Housing98 ✓144+46%
Groceries73 ✓104+31%
Transportation75 ✓105+30%
Healthcare74 ✓107+33%
Utilities77 ✓104+27%

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

Salary equivalency: Laredo → Austin

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

Salary in LaredoEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$87,000+$27,000
$80,000$116,000+$36,000
$100,000$145,000+$45,000
$130,000$188,000+$58,000
$150,000$217,000+$67,000
$200,000$289,000+$89,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Laredo, TX and Austin, TX, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 45%.

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

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