Cary vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Laredo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 29.3%, with Laredo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $58,019 in Laredo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $58,019 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $96,951 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $190,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $428 in Laredo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $117,400 in Cary and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $77,927 respectively. Cary residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,739/month to housing in Cary vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/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 71 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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