Laredo vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Laredo is 20% less expensive than Houston.

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

Houston, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLaredo indexHouston indexDifference
Housing98 ✓118+20%
Groceries73 ✓87+14%
Transportation75 ✓88+13%
Healthcare74 ✓88+14%
Utilities77 ✓89+12%

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

Salary equivalency: Laredo → Houston

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

Salary in LaredoEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$72,000+$12,000
$80,000$96,000+$16,000
$100,000$120,000+$20,000
$130,000$156,000+$26,000
$150,000$180,000+$30,000
$200,000$239,000+$39,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Laredo, TX and Houston, TX, Laredo comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 76 versus 91 for Houston — a difference of approximately 20%.

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

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