Laredo vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 41% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Laredo, TX

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

Chicago, IL

COL index107
State income tax4.95%
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLaredo indexChicago indexDifference
Housing98 ✓139+41%
Groceries73 ✓101+28%
Transportation75 ✓102+27%
Healthcare74 ✓104+30%
Utilities77 ✓101+24%

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

Salary equivalency: Laredo → Chicago

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

Salary in LaredoEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$91,000+$31,000
$80,000$121,000+$41,000
$100,000$151,000+$51,000
$130,000$197,000+$67,000
$150,000$227,000+$77,000
$200,000$303,000+$103,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Laredo, TX and Chicago, IL, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 41%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Laredo workers an immediate 4.95% take-home pay advantage over Chicago workers who pay Illinois's 4.95% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Laredo is $160,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $720/month in Laredo versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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