Amarillo vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Laredo
The Verdict
Amarillo is 9.8% less expensive than Laredo overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amarillo would need approximately $83,108 in Laredo to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $83,108 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $67,683 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $190,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $432/month in Laredo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $428 in Laredo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $77,927 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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