Arlington vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Laredo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 100.0%, with Laredo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $37,500 in Laredo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $37,500 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $150,000 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $190,000. The $550,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $1,275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $864/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $428 in Laredo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $77,927 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 168 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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