Denton vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Laredo
The Verdict
Laredo is 31.7% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $56,944 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 Denton has the same purchasing power as $56,944 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $98,780 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $190,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton 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 81 in Denton and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $77,927 respectively. Laredo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,491/month in Laredo. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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