| Index | Laredo | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 80 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Laredo? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Laredo stands at 93, making it 7% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Laredo are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Laredo can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 12 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Laredo. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 42% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 58% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Wondering if Laredo is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Laredo, for example, the median home price is 23.1% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 11.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Laredo boasting a median household income of $74,785, which is 8.1% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Laredo, the utilities index registers 0.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Laredo, the transportation index is 0.3% higher than the national average.
The Laredo cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $97,446 | $8,121 | $2,274 | $2,924 |
| Renters | $46,731 | $3,894 | $1,090 | $1,402 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tanquecitos South Acres, TX | 248 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Los Altos, TX | 146 | 98 | 1.7% |
| La Coma, TX | 43 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Tanquecitos South Acres II, TX | 0 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Los Minerales, TX | 21 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Laredo, TX | 268,554 | 93 | 7.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jersey City, NJ | 268,546 | 145 | 45.0% |
| Chandler, AZ | 266,863 | 125 | 24.9% |
| Madison, WI | 266,829 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Lubbock, TX | 266,541 | 96 | 4.1% |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 271,787 | 113 | 12.7% |
| Laredo, TX | 268,554 | 93 | 7.1% |
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